Sukajan
graphite on paper
12” x 16”
2024
Kevin Roque
Artist Statement:
The sukajan jacket originated in Japan after World War II, drawing inspiration from the American varsity jackets worn by U.S. soldiers. Over time, Japanese artisans transformed the garment by incorporating intricate embroidery, silk fabrics, and imagery influenced by traditional tattoo art, creating a unique fusion of Japanese and American cultures. This work uses the sukajan as a symbol of cultural exchange and identity formation. It reflects my personal connection to the stories, souvenirs, and experiences shared by my parents, who worked overseas in both America and Japan. Through the pasalubong they brought home and the narratives they passed on, I inherited fragments of places I had never visited, shaping my understanding of the world and contributing to the person I am today.
Sukajan
graphite on paper
12” x 16”
2024
Kevin Roque
Artist Statement:
The sukajan jacket originated in Japan after World War II, drawing inspiration from the American varsity jackets worn by U.S. soldiers. Over time, Japanese artisans transformed the garment by incorporating intricate embroidery, silk fabrics, and imagery influenced by traditional tattoo art, creating a unique fusion of Japanese and American cultures. This work uses the sukajan as a symbol of cultural exchange and identity formation. It reflects my personal connection to the stories, souvenirs, and experiences shared by my parents, who worked overseas in both America and Japan. Through the pasalubong they brought home and the narratives they passed on, I inherited fragments of places I had never visited, shaping my understanding of the world and contributing to the person I am today.
