Andrew Bui
Walter Q. Chin
Nancy Choe
Iwao Hosoda
Min Jung
Kwak
Corky Lee
Winnie Lee
Hidemi Sato
Benjamin Sloat
Steven Aishman
Noelle Tan
Rosey Truong
Hitomi Iwasaki
Contemporary Photography Shows in Manhattan. The exhibition emphasizes the similarities and differences among artists from vastly different backgrounds who are nonetheless collectively identified as Asian American.
AUGUST 2002 PHOTO EXHIBIT
August 6 - September 7, 2002
Opening Reception: Thurs, August 8, 6-9 PM
Juror: Hitomi Iwasaki, Queens Museum of Art
Featuring Corky Lee's "9/11" Series
NEW YORK CITY - AsianLens is pleased to present "August 2002
Photo Exhibit," an exhibition of photographs by twelve emerging
and established Asian American artists to be held at Chelsea's
Chambers Fine Art. It is the first exhibit in New York City history
that is solely devoted to contemporary Asian American
photographers.
The August 2002 Photo Exhibit was organized in response to the
need to show the work of Asian American photographers. Asian
American photographers' work is distinct from that of Asian artists
living in Asia, whose current works with high shock value have
been largely attributed to the explosive venting of years of
suppression. First-, second-, third-generation Asian American
photographers are touched by a different set of issues and
concerns that explore multiculturism, immigration, displacement,
identity, and ethnic self-consciousness.
The exhibition emphasizes the similarities and differences among
artists from vastly different backgrounds who are nonetheless
collectively identified as Asian American. Artists included are:
Andrew Bui, Walter Q. Chin, Nancy Choe, Iwao Hosoda, Min Jung
Kwak, Corky Lee, Winnie Lee, Hidemi Sato, Benjamin Sloat &
Steven Aishman collaboration, Noelle Tan, and Rosey Truong.
The show is jurored by Hitomi Iwasaki, Associate Curator at
Queens Museum of Art, who reviewed over 500 pieces from over
40 Asian American photographers from across the U.S. While the
artists range in genres, techniques and experience, these artists
are connected through a visual language of photography. Works
span from traditional to digital processes, black and white to
color, abstract to realism. The exhibit embodies the diversity of
experiences found in the Asian American community that is
expressed through each individual artist's imagery.
Among the twelve artists in the exhibit (including a collaboration
duo), highlights include images by photojournalist, Corky Lee, who
is known for documenting the day-to-day life of Asian Americans
for over 25 years. His work in this exhibit is part of his "9/11
Series."
Other highlights include starkly dark, nocturnal landscapes by
Noelle Tan which are contrasted to Hidemi Sato's bright, colorful
photos of New York City. Andrew Bui's work addresses sexual
repression and transgender issues, while Benjamin Sloat & Steven
Aishman's work addresses the growing "1/2 Asian," mixed race
population.
What is important to the show is that these very different works
were created in the same Asian American community and are
being exhibited side-by-side. Such juxtapositions are what give
"AsianLens August 2002 Photo Exhibit" its energy. Whatever the
content of the individual artists' works, together they suggest
that the Asian American community is a dynamic and contrasting
one filled with synergy and tension, unity and clashes.
AsianLens
Old Chelsea Station