Hisako Hibi and Matsusaburo "George" Hibi papers, circa 1906-2022, bulk 1940-1990

Collection Information

Size: 5.4 Linear feet

Summary: The papers of Japanese American artists Hisako Hibi and Matsusaburo "George" Hibi measure 5.4 linear feet and date from circa 1906-2022, bulk 1940-1990. These papers are mainly focused on Hisako Hibi's life and career, with some content related to her husband Matsusaburo "George" Hibi. Included are biographical material consisting of immigration documents and interview transcripts; scrapbooks; printed material including catalogs and newspaper clippings; personal and professional correspondence; scattered records of works sold, loaned and donated; and numerous sketchbooks and notebooks. Also found is Matsusaburo's handwritten account of founding the art school at Topaz incarceration camp along with other material related to the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Biographical/Historical Note

Hisako Hibi née Shimizu (1907-1991) was a Japanese American artist in Hayward and San Francisco, California. She was married to­ artist Matsusaburo "George" Hibi (1886-1947), who was one of the founders of the East West Art Society. Both artists were active members of the San Francisco Bay Area arts community. The two met at the California School of Fine Arts (renamed the San Francisco Art Institute, which closed in 2022) and married in 1930. They had two children, Satoshi and Ibuki. Both Hisako and Matsusaburo George exhibited their paintings widely. Matsusaburo George taught and worked at the California School of Fine Arts until 1933 and then he and Hisako moved to Hayward, California where he established a Japanese-language and art school. Hisako also painted and participated in group shows at state fairs, galleries, and also the 1940 Golden Gate International Exposition on Treasure Island. Read More

Provenance

The Hisako Hibi and Matsusaburo "George" Hibi papers were donated to the Archives of American Art in 2022 by Ibuki Hibi Lee, Hisako and Matsusaburo "George" Hibi's daughter. Additional material donated in 2023 by Amy Lee-Tai, Ibuki Lee's daughter.

Language Note

The collection is in English and Japanese.

Digitization Note

This site provides access to the papers of Hisako Hibi in the Archives of American Art that were digitized in 2024, and total 6,836 images.

Funding Note

Funding for the processing and digitization of this collection was provided by the Asian Pacific American Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.