Elias Carter

Elias Ken Carter was born in Chicago in January 1953 to Aiko and Larry Carter. His home fostered creativity and discipline, marked by Aiko’s sketches and Larry’s scholarly notes, with Japanese American heritage threading through daily life. He grew up surrounded by siblings and a supportive extended family. Elias's mother, who had endured the Los Angeles internment camps, instilled artistic sensibilities. His father, a long-time Chicago resident and hafu, cultivated a love for liberal arts and critical thinking; he won Aiko's heart by seeking to pursue and better understand her background, providing a different perspective. Their home was a space for constant debate. A brief teenage interest in military service was rejected by Aiko—a stance Elias believed was deeply shaped by the camps—who urged him to serve through craft, education, and community contribution. He attended Chicago Community College, where a printmaking class sparked his passion for visual storytelling, blending meticulous technique with expressive freedom. Seeking to deepen his craft and connect with his mother's history, Elias moved to Los Angeles for art school. He found inspiration in the city and its Japanese American neighborhoods. He mastered relief printing, woodblock techniques, and natural pigment mixing. After graduation, he returned to his hometown, Elias balanced family, heritage, and artistry. His home was a blend of studio and library. He committed himself to documenting Nisei history through prints, illustrations, and community workshops, preserving fading stories. Elias’s liberal arts foundation shaped his worldview; his art bridged the past and present, combining LA techniques with his Chicago roots, and personal reflection with cultural memory. He sought to honor his parents' legacy through the steady dedication of a life lived with purpose, craft, and history.