Melania Trump unveils White House’s first artwork by an Asian American

A sculpture by Isamu Noguchi has become the first work by an Asian American to feature in the White House’s art collection, according to the White House Historical Association.

The piece, titled “Floor Frame,” was unveiled by first lady Melania Trump in the Rose Garden on Friday. Designed in 1962, and cast in black patina and bronze the next year, the sculpture is composed of rectangular blocks that appear to sink and rise from the ground.

“Floor Frame” is displayed in the White House Rose Garden on November 21. Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

“I am excited to announce the installation of Floor Frame to the newly restored White House Rose Garden,” the first lady is quoted as saying in the White House statement. “This sculpture not only showcases diversity within our nation’s finest art but it also highlights the beautiful contributions of Asian American artists to the landscape of our country.”

In addition to Friday’s unveiling, the White House Historical Association has also launched a new online resource called “Diversity in White House Art,” which offers information on prominent artists featured in its collection, including Jacob Lawrence and Georgia O’Keeffe.

“The art of the White House should showcase the very best of American artists, and that means curating a collection that reflects the full diversity of our nation’s artistic heritage,” said Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, in a press release.

Noguchi’s career

His training in the studio of celebrated Romanian artist Constantin Brancusi helped cement his desire to be a sculptor in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1940s that he enjoyed critical acclaim.

Noguchi is the first Asian American artist to be featured in the White House collection. Credit: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

With an American mother and Japanese father, Noguchi spent much of his life promoting artistic exchanges between the two countries, often when relations between them were tense or downright hostile.

He also became involved with political activism during World War II. When Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps, he voluntarily entered one himself in an act of solidarity with those who had been imprisoned, even using his design background to propose improvements to the camp.