Patrick Nagatani

Patrick Nagatani
Nagatani teaching in 1974
Born
Patrick Ryoichi Nagatani

(1945-08-19)August 19, 1945
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedOctober 27, 2017(2017-10-27) (aged 72)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationCal State L.A. (B.A., 1968)
UCLA (M.F.A., 1980)
Known forSocial documentary photography
Notable workGila River, Butte Camp, Japanese-American Concentration Camp, Arizona, March 25, 1995 / GRB-1-18-11
SpouseLeigh Anne Langwell
Websitewww.patricknagatani.com

Patrick Nagatani (August 19, 1945 – October 27, 2017) was an American photographer and educator perhaps best known for his work relating to the unique history of Japanese Americans including their experience with internment camps.

Biography

Nagatani at Dorsey in 1962

Nagatani was born on August 19, 1945, in Chicago, just ten days after the atomic blast on Nagasaki. A Sansei, he was the eldest son of John Shuzo and Diane Yoshiye Nagatani. In 1955, the Nagatanis moved to Los Angeles, where they settled in the Crenshaw District, which at one time had the largest concentration of Japanese-Americans in the country.[1][2]

In Los Angeles, Nagatani attended Coliseum Street School, Audubon Jr. High School, and Dorsey High School. At Dorsey, he was an honor student, ran hurdles, and was an officer in student government.[1]

It wasn't until he started college at Cal State L.A. that he discovered his passion for the arts. Prior to pursuing a MFA degree at UCLA, Nagatani taught for the Los Angeles Unified School District at Hamilton High School.[1]

Later, he taught at Loyola Marymount University and at the University of New Mexico[1] where he worked with such students as Myra Greene, Bill Adams, and Carla Williams.

As an artist, Nagatani's works have been exhibited internationally and have been featured in numerous publications and films.[1]

Nagatani died on October 27, 2017, at his home in Albuquerque.[1]

Exhibitions

Selected solo exhibitions[3]

  • 1976 – Pal Gallery, Evergreen State University, Olympia, Washington
  • 1982 – Canon Photo Gallery, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Chromo-Therapy Series
  • 1991 – Jayne H. Baum Gallery, New York City, Nuclear Enchantment
  • 2005 – Vermont Center for Photography, Brattleboro, Vermont, Chromatherapy
  • 2011 – Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, California, Desire for Magic: Patrick Nagatani 1978–2008
  • 2012 – Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, Charleston, West Virginia, Desire for Magic: Patrick Nagatani 1978–2008
  • 2018 – University of Michigan Museum of Art, Proof: The Ryoichi Excavations[4]

Selected group exhibitions[3]

  • 1976 – 1976 Member's Exhibition, Friends of Photography, Carmel, California
  • 1983 – The Big Picture, curated by Barbara Hitchcock and Arthur Ollman, Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego, California
  • 1993 – Schneider-Bluhm-Loeb Gallery, Chicago, Illinois (four artists)
  • 2003 – Bridge: Photographs by Robert Clarke-Davis, Jocelyn Nevel, and Patrick Nagatani, Adrian College, Adrian, Michigan
  • 2013 – Private Universes / Personal Spaces, SCA Contemporary Art, Albuquerque, New Mexico (six artists)

Further reading

  • Michelle M. Penhall, ed. (2011). Desire for Magic: Patrick Nagatani 1978–2008. University of New Mexico Art Museum. ISBN 978-0944282328.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Noted photographer/educator Patrick Nagatani passes at 72". Rafu Shimpo: Los Angeles Daily Japanese News. Los Angeles. November 12, 2017. Patrick's art has been displayed internationally and documented in numerous publications and films.
  2. ^ Brown, Scott Shibuya (October 3, 1993). "Crenshaw: Littler Tokyo : Although their children have grown and gone, older Japanese-Americans still evince pride, loyalty in their changing community". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Patrick Ryoichi Nagatani" (PDF). PatrickNagatani.com. November 11, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
  4. ^ "Proof: The Ryoichi Excavations | University of Michigan Museum of Art". umma.umich.edu. Retrieved May 26, 2020.


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