Archives West Finding Aid

Scope and Content: Interview transcripts.

Scope and Content: Transcripts of interviews with three Northwest Asian American artists. Topics covered include background, education, training, family support/encouragement, medium of artistic expression, supporting occupations and relationships with other area artists, particularly Mark Tobey. In-depth discussions focussed on: teachers and/or other influences, including ethnic culture; the creative process and methods of preparing for work; individual technique and how it has evolved over time; opinions of contemporary trends; and the role of museums and galleries in publicizing and promoting their works.

Artists included: Andrew Chinn, Chinese American landscape painter who works in water color; Johsel Namkung, Korean American photographer who also illustrates art books and musical instruments; Frank Sumio Okada, Japanese American abstract oil painter. Johsel Namkung was interviewed twice for the project by different interviewers who covered successive periods of his life.