PAST - Mitsuko Brooks

Mitsuko Brooks

Mitsuko Brooks’ constricted text nearly falls off the edge of her mixed media work Mail to self postmarked 5/23/2020 (2020). A letter written by the artist to herself as a child promotes healing from a violent and alcoholic childhood. Like Brooks’ other mail artworks, this piece is a balance of delicate and unassuming composition with deeply personal and revealing text that speaks of adoration, praise, and hope for a better life despite origins of family trauma and mental illness. -David Rios Ferreira

May 17, 2020 7:17pm

Dear Mitsuko,
Mimi,
Michan

I love you so much. I have watched you grow. I am sorry you have been having a hard time today and lately during the pandemic. My wish for you is to make peace with your violent childhood and re[ach] forgiveness to your alcoholic white father and Japanese mother. I am sorry your primary care givers were/are shells of adults and cannot love and care for you the way you wanted and needed. You are already on your way to heal, building back your self esteem, being your own parent. May 20th 6:26pm. I'm really proud of you for learning and practicing to ask for what you need, that you have days you feel comfortable making art in the living room that you can tell your fears to your sponsor. I know you are going to be ok. You will not lose your mind during this pandemic. [You] will meet your life partner, who will not be scared to be your wife or husband. They will love you unconditionally and be amazing. You will have a healthy relationship with money. I love you Mitsuko.

'Contemporary art operates in a system of oppression' - Devon Tsuno'"

Detail of Mail to self postmarked 5/23/2020 Medium: [Mail art] Discarded book cover, gouache, 18th century book page, construction paper, Breyer Horse brochure, stamps. Dimensions: 8" x 10.25" — Detail of Mail to self postmarked 5/23/2020
Medium: [Mail art] Discarded book cover, gouache, 18th century book page, construction paper, Breyer Horse brochure, stamps.
Dimensions: 8" x 10.25"