Mutsuko Miki by Haley Dawn of British Columbia

     This painting is a tribute to a heroic woman named Mutsuko Miki, the former First Lady of Japan who advocated for the rights of comfort women (a woman forced into sexual relations with Japanese soldiers). 

     In regards to artistic choices, the colours were chosen based on symbolism. The blue background represents her current state of looking over her people from the sky. The yellow (a typically happy colour) represents her optimism in and positivity showed while advocating for peace and rights of comfort women. The cherry blossoms were added to the art as a representation of her gifting 1,000 Japanese cherry blossom trees to Seattle (USA), initiating an annual tradition. In the gray banner I put her Japanese name (三木 睦子) and a quote that I think accurately portrays her life mission for peace. 

I feel like this piece accurately captures Mutsuko Miki’s essence and purpose, and establishes her in the same angelic regard as the Japanese people.