Our Camp

When the earthquake hit early on the morning of April 18, the chimney in the room where Obata was sleeping collapsed. He fled with just a blanket and his sketching kit, taking refuge in Lafayette Park. With characteristic generosity, he shared with others some blankets and food given to him by a “friendly cook” at the martial law headquarters. He later recalled, “my friends were suffering from the shortage of food and clothing. Because I had brought back plenty, people began to come stay at my place, and we had fun.” The camp is depicted as a basic but orderly and even convivial space, with two canvas tents to the right, what look like pans or other gear hanging in a row, and a grassy area where six people are gathered in a circle under the shade of a tree. Splashes of red and pink bring warmth to the scene, and a line of bright blue laundry suggests the effort to maintain the routines of daily life.