Mayumi Oda

Born in war-torn Japan in 1944, Mayumi Oda was practically destined to be an advocate for nuclear peace.  Her platform as an artist came by way of traditional studies in fabric dying, an influence that colors most of her work as a studio artist today.  Oda is known as the “Japanese Matisse,” because her simple forms recall those of the French master, though her subjects  – including a series depicting Japanese gods all as females – have always been the fairer sex.  Mayumi uses her fame as an artist to speak to the U.N. and other groups about nuclear disarmament.  And she can hula!