"Talking Through the Wire Fence--the evacuees talk with visitors who were unable to gain admittance." by Chiura Obata, July 1942. Sumi, 11" x 15 ½"

"In the midst of this desert, we artists' job is not to discuss the war, nor waste time by gossiping and foment uneasiness among our residents. But our utmost effort should be given to develop culture and soften the people's hearts which somehow seem to have a tendency to harden under the circumstances.

Existence of an art schools is now more necessary and essential than ever before, especially in such a place as Topaz, where it is like a lone beautiful flower with a sweet fragrance in bloom....It is not for the mere existence of teaching technique, but also to foster infinite inspirations, emotions, and peaceful thoughts in the people, young and old."

Matsusaburo Hibi, in Beyond Words: Images from America's Concentration Camps. From an exhibition at the Smithsonian Institution