Camp Harmony

by John Zylstra

Made of mild steel and stainless steel

$12,000

Artist Statement

“Camp Harmony” is a sculpture that refers to the Japanese temporary assembly center located in and around the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup in the early days of World War II. The design makes references to Japanese gardens and shoji screens as well as the barbed wire of such “camps”.
About “Camp Harmony”, Mr. Zylstra says: The sculpture is less about these historical issues than it is about contemporary issues of ethnicity and profiling. “Camp Harmony” serves as a warning to be ever vigilant regarding conclusions drawn too quickly and specific assessments made of the human condition.    We must be cautious to separate what is real from what is perceived with our actions driven by our sense of humanity and justice.  It is not my purpose to condemn or point fingers historically; rather, encourage continued discussions of larger social issues of today.

About John Zylstra

John Zylstra is a sculptor based in Bellingham, Washington. He holds a BA from Western Washington University and an MFA from Cranbrook Art Academy. He has exhibited work in scores of galleries, museums, and Public Art venues nationally and internationally for almost 40 years. He maintains a second, small studio in Oregon City, Oregon, which has the advantage of being near his grandchildren.

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