17-03-2025
Sculptor connects Fukushima to U.S. through New York gallery
Yoko Suetsugu, a sculptor from Fukushima Prefecture who runs a gallery in New York, is working to showcase the current state and appeal of her home prefecture, which was hit by the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake, the subsequent tsunami and meltdowns at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.
Suetsugu, a native of the city of Fukushima, moved to the United States 27 years ago and fulfilled her dream of opening a gallery there. But her feelings for Fukushima Prefecture have not changed.
To help the area overcome reputational damage, she is aiming to launch Onsen Residency, a program inviting U.S. artists to hot springs in the city of Fukushima for a creative retreat.
'I hope to become a bridge between the U.S. and Fukushima,' she said.
Suetsugu moved to New York in 1998 and studied at the City University of New York and the Art Students League of New York.
She then went on to work as an art technician, installing artworks at exhibitions and other events.
While struggling with language barriers and having doubts about the art industry, she continued to pursue her dream of becoming an artist in New York.
In 2017, she opened a gallery named Haco.
Following the 2011 disasters in Fukushima Prefecture, she had been concerned that a negative impression of her home region had spread among people in the U.S.
Although she had not personally experienced the disasters, she wondered if there was a way she could help the area.
She began handling Fukushima Prefecture's renowned crafts at her gallery, including Aizu Hongo pottery and Aizu lacquerware. The works proved popular among people in New York.
She held a screening for a documentary about a man who lost his family in the 2011 disaster. She invited Shunken Yokoyama, chief priest of Antouin Temple in the city of Fukushima working to restore the region, for a zazen seated meditation class and a sutra recitation event.
She also showcased Obori Soma ware at her gallery — pottery from Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, whose potters were forced to evacuate the town after the nuclear disaster at the plant, located in their town, leaving their generations-old kilns behind.
'I was glad that I could convey accurate information,' she said. 'I felt there were things even I could do to help.'
Fourteen years have passed since the disasters, and Suetsugu is envisioning a new project to link Fukushima Prefecture with the U.S., where misconceptions still persist.
She hopes to start a program of inviting artists to stay in the prefecture and engage in creative activities so they will get a chance to learn about the attractiveness of the area, including its nature, hot springs and people.
In an effort to help revitalize the disaster-hit areas, she is also thinking about organizing events there for the artists to create artworks together with young art students and local residents.
Eventually, she wants to invite artists from Fukushima Prefecture to the U.S., too, so that artists of both countries can visit each other.
'I hope Fukushima will be revitalized by art,' she said with strong determination.
In October, her gallery will celebrate its eighth anniversary.
'My aim is to continue doing what I can do now and reach the goal of realizing the Onsen Residency program,' she said.
'I want to connect to a variety of people through this place.'
This section features topics and issues covered by the Fukushima Minpo, the prefecture's largest newspaper. The original article was published Feb. 25.
