Brian and Christine Daves
Sketches
Anonymous sketchbook by an unknown North Korean prisoner of war
Brian Daves grew up fascinated by a little 3 1/4” x 5 6/8” sketchbook full of drawings and a poem that his father kept in one of the drawers in his bureau. He and his wife Christine talk about the value of this sketchbook to their family, and to history.
"My father, Robert Daves, was a Military Police Officer in a Prisoner of War Camp during the Korean War. We presume this was the U.N. camp on Koje-do island. It held more than 170,000 prisoners from December 1950 to June 1952. . . . Left in a pile (in the barracks) with other material taken from the prisoners was a small sketchbook of drawings and poems . . . my father decided to keep it.
"The accomplished craftsmanship of the artist is obvious. . . . The drawings are also full of community symbols. . . . I have always been curious as to how strongly the artist held these political views or if these were seen as safe subjects to depict if viewed by others.
"Christine and I are now parents of a Korean-born child. It is interesting to me how my view of this book has changed since Elliot has entered our lives. (We) have thought of returning the book to Korea. . . . When Elliot is old enough, the book will be passed to him and it will be his decision."
- Brian Daves
"Being trained in the arts and having saved every sketchbook I ever worked on, I felt awkward having something so personal in our possession. I asked a Korean student at work to read the text for any information that would help me return it to the creator. Unfortunately, no identifying information has been discovered. . .
"To accept something so personal, from a complete stranger – and the fact that my country confiscated it while holding the soldier prisoner – is pretty heavy. It is a work of art, a historical relic, and evidence of the humanity every soldier and every prisoner of war. Seeing this work has put a personality and character on a prisoner that would otherwise be thought of as a mere number. . . . I am glad to be able to give Elliot this historic connection to his native country, its people and history."
- Christine Daves
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//Intermedia Arts is a catalyst that builds understanding among people through art.//
