Compassionate Grounds: Ten Years on in Tōhoku

An exhibition of contemporary Japanese art observing 10 years on from the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and ongoing nuclear crisis. Japanese artists Lieko Shiga, Motoyuki Shitamichi, Masaharu Hasunuma, Kyun-chome, Masaharu Satō, Natsumi Seo and Haruka Komori, along with Japanese-Australian artists Chaco Katō and Mayu Kanamori, address and record the physical and social impacts of major loss on what could be described as ‘compassionate grounds’. This term is commonly heard in pandemic times when discussing exceptions for those who are suffering, but in this case is an artistic reference to the fraught relationship many disaster survivors have with their lost or unrecognisable lands and homes. ‘Compassionate Grounds’ was an exhibition at Composite, Collingwood Arts Precinct, Melbourne from March 2021 to January 2023 and Metro Arts, Brisbane in August 2021.

This project was assisted by the Australian Government through Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, plus support from Bus Projects and Metro Arts. The project was held on unceded land; the curator acknowledges the Traditional Owners and extends respect to Elders past, present and emerging.