Japanese World War II Art History: From 1931-1945 with Dr. Gavin Campbell

How do we draw the line between art and propaganda? We will explore this question by delving deeply into paintings commissioned by the Japanese imperial state between 1931 and 1945. These works are rarely seen in Japan today and seldom exhibited abroad. So, in addition to exploring fundamental questions about the relationship between art, war, and the state, we will lift the veil on an era of Japanese art that has largely disappeared. Japanese artists, swept up in the excitement of the country’s modernization, were constantly aware of their relationship to the idea of “Japan.”

But after the 1937 invasion of China, demands for ideological purity grew increasingly strenuous, and it became nearly impossible to paint without reference to war and the imperial state. For some artists, that meant battle paintings, while others explored “Japanese-ness.” This seminar showcases these startling images and examines how artists adjusted their work to the ideological demands of “total war.”

Led by an expert on Japanese history and culture, Gavin Campbell, this Conversation will explore the role of art in the Japanese war effort. Designed to inform curiosity and future travels, participants will come away with an expanded view of Japanese art history and food for thought about the artist’s role in a time of war.

To learn more about Japanese history with Context, we invite you to explore Dr. Campbell's additional upcoming seminars here.