Artist Hiroshi Sunairi named 2009 Utne Visionary

New York-based artist Hiroshi Sunairi is one of Utne Reader's "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World" for 2009. He's cited for his Tree Project, in which he shares seeds from plants that survived the atomic bomb blast in Hiroshima with people around the world: "By creating beauty from devastation, the creator cultivates peace."

Here's a shot of my hibaku ("A-bombed tree"), a persimmon I started from seeds Hiroshi sent me. And here's my interview with him on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing in August.

Congratuations, Hiroshi!