Faculty of ArtOn November 2, the Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies (ACAM) Program hosted an exhibit tour of Enemy Alien: Tamio Wakayama at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The exhibit is the first comprehensive retrospective on the Japanese Canadian photographer and his important work documenting social justice movements such as the Civil Rights Movement and Japanese Canadian Redress activism. During World War II, Wakayama, like many Japanese Canadians, was declared an “enemy alien” and forcibly interned by the Canadian government. He spent his life dedicated to activism and using his artistic practice to tell stories of community and justice.
The event brought together ACAM students, faculty, and Japanese Canadian community members to engage with Wakayama’s work and to learn from the exhibit’s curator, Paul Wong, and Wakayama’s partner, Mayumi Takasaki. One of the students in attendance at the tour, Rayna Friar, has kindly shared their reflections below:
After learning about Wakayama in ACAM 300 I became interested in his work and how Wakayama used his photography to fight for justice for the Civil Rights Movement. Seeing his photographs in person was a breathtaking example on how solidarity can be forged between different communities and the power of photography in activism. It was inspiring to see how Wakayama used his skills as a photographer to document civil rights protests and the Powell street festival formation, proving that all it takes to fight for change in your community is willingness to do so. My favourite photo was the final one, showing three men of different backgrounds embracing and wearing matching expressions of joy and excitement at the Powell Street Festival. This photo illuminated the love Wakayama channeled into his work and how he focused on building solidarity. Wakayama’s work is a reminder to all that even though we may be from different communities, we can come together to work for collective liberation.
Enemy Alien: Tamio Wakayama is on display at the Vancouver Art Gallery from October 3, 2025 – February 22, 2026.
Photos by Devon Meadows
