Resilience: Preserving History Through Glass and Memory

Born four years after her family was released from American concentration camps, Reiko Fujii has dedicated her career to preserving these stories through art and ensuring they are never forgotten. Fujii’s work is featured in Resilience: A Sansei Sense of Legacy, an exhibition exploring the lasting impact of Japanese American incarceration during World War II.

Fujii transforms personal and collective trauma into powerful works that challenge audiences to confront historical injustices, examine the roots of racism, and break cycles of oppression. Her Glass Ancestral Kimono, crafted from 2,000 hand-cut glass pieces and fused photographic images of incarcerates, embodies this mission. Designed to be worn, the kimono creates the sound of wind chimes when in motion, recalling the Obon Festival tradition of calling back ancestors through sound.

This compelling program will feature photos and video of the Glass Ancestral Kimono along with clips from her documentary Detained Alien Enemy, offering an intimate look at how Fujii merges history, memory, and art to honor those who came before her.

Join us for a profound conversation about resilience, remembrance, and the power of storytelling.

Free to the public. Reservations required.
Learn more about the exhibition

Community Partners: Japanese American Service Committee Chicago; Chicago Japanese American Historical Society