‘A Study of Identity’, 17,7cm x 12,6 cm. Photo emulsion on aluminum.
RYOICHI NAKAMURA – ‘A STUDY OF IDENTITY’
4 April – July 25 2026
Birthe Laursen Art Room Gilleleje, St. Strandstræde 1, 3250, DK – Gilleleje
The exhibition ‘A Study of Identity’ presents a series of works exploring identity and minorities and is now coming to Europe for the first time.
Some of the works focus on the 120.000 Japanese-Americans who were forcibly placed in internment camps during World War II. Don’t miss this exciting exhibition with the Japanese artist Ryoichi Nakamura, presented by Birthe Laursen Art Agency in Gilleleje!
Obscured Portraits That Tell a True and Heartbreaking Story
How would you react if your homeland demanded that you swear unqualified allegiance to it? Portraits of Japanese-Americans who faced this very situation are at the heart of Ryoichi Nakamura’s series ‘A Study of Identity’:
“During World War II, Japanese-Americans reportedly experienced identity confusion – neither American, yet not Japanese either. I was contemplating how to express this loss of identity, this confusion of identity, this wavering of identity,” says Ryoichi Nakamura.
The result was a comprehensive series of overpainted portraits, each depicting one of the Japanese Americans who, following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, were forced into incarceration camps far from their homes:
“Suspected by their homeland, under Executive Order 9066 they were asked to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to whether they forswore any form of allegiance to the Emperor of Japan – a question that left many people feeling betrayed and confused,” explains Ryoichi Nakamura:
“The shock from Executive Order 9066 must have been devastating. Even though they were American citizens, because they had a Japanese face, they were not able to be seen as an American. With these portraits, I try to express their true and heartfelt emotions,” explains Ryoichi Nakamura, who intentionally obscured the portraits so their ethnicity cannot be discerned. The colours represent feelings of anger and sadness.
Glittering art works with something on their minds
Since its inception in 2015, Ryoichi Nakamura has expanded ‘A Study of Identity’ to include colourful oil paintings covered with layers of imitation gold and silver foil. These works will also be featured in the exhibition, reflecting how being a minority in Japan can also be challenging:
“Children born to Black or White parents, even when raised entirely in Japan, are sometimes seen as ‘not Japanese’ simply because of their appearance. The colourful pigment represents people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. By covering them with layers of imitation gold and silver leaf, I conceal the colours beneath – symbolizing a society that appears bright and beautiful on the surface, yet hides the diversity that truly enriches it.”
