The Missing Link – A 2024 Artistic Journey

In 2024, I embarked on a profoundly transformative artistic journey that delved into the core of my Japanese Canadian heritage, celebrating the enduring spirit of my ancestors. Returning to my hometown of Ucluelet, BC, following the loss of an elderly family member and to care for my grandmother, who reached the remarkable milestone of 100 years before passing away, I found myself deeply reconnected with the land and sea that had shaped my upbringing. This return was not just a personal homecoming but a reflective exploration of family, identity, and belonging, reigniting my connection to my heritage.

One pivotal influence on this journey was my previous Vancouver exhibition, Kuroshio. Named after my late father’s fishing boat, the series resonated with audiences and captured themes of connection and legacy. Inspired by the warm ocean current that flows from Japan along the west coast of North America, Kuroshio featured abstract ocean-scapes named after fishing boats from my formative years. Its success laid the groundwork for my most ambitious project to date: The Missing Link.

Project Overview

The Missing Link traces the path of my grandfather’s fishing boat and the ancestral journeys that defined my family’s history. This series explores key locations, many of which I know intimately and call my home, however some I had visited only once or never before. Each piece in the collection is named for its corresponding site, taking viewers on a visual and emotional journey along the rugged Pacific coastline.

Key Locations

• Spring Cove, Ucluelet: Our family property, where my grandfather resettled in 1950 after returning to the BC coast post-war.
• Stubs Island (Clayoquot Island): Near Tofino, where my grandfather’s family first settled in 1917 and where he and his siblings grew up.
• Morpheus Island (near Meares Island): The resting place of my great-grandparents in a pre-war cemetery, alongside the ashes of my grandfather, scattered there in 1986.

These sacred places reflect stories of resilience, survival, and deep connections to the land and sea that sustained my family for generations.

Artistic Approach

My artistic style—a dynamic blend of abstraction, landscape, and documentary printmaking—evolved throughout the creation of this series. Each location inspired a vivid exploration of memory and place. Highlights include:

• Hot Springs Cove: A cherished gathering spot for my grandfather, father, uncle, and their friends.
• Estevan and Esperanza: Rugged fishing grounds that were vital to my family’s livelihood.
• Nuchatlutz and Zeballos: The northernmost destinations my family frequented and favoured during fishing seasons, rich with history and significance.

Where possible, I ventured out to sea, experiencing again - since my deckhand days, the waters that once sustained my family. These journeys deepened my understanding of my ancestors' lives and infused my work with meaning and authenticity.

Project Outcomes

To date, The Missing Link has resulted in over 20 original paintings, a comprehensive book of sketches, and a set of 10 limited edition prints. This body of work stands as a tapestry of personal history, culture, and artistry, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into the legacy of my family. Beyond the completed pieces, the groundwork I’ve laid this past year—through research, photographs, and sketches—has provided inspiration for many future works.

This project has become more than an artistic endeavor; it is a testament to the power of heritage and the enduring connections that bind us to those who came before. Through this series, I’ve not only celebrated the resilience and legacy of my family but also honored the universal themes of love, memory, and belonging.

Acknowledgment

With the generous support of the JCLS, I was able to bring this deeply personal exploration to life. The Missing Link represents a journey of rediscovery and transformation, weaving together the threads of my family’s past and present into a collection that speaks to the heart and soul of what it means to belong. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to share this story and these artworks with others.

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