EXHIBITIONS

A short intro on the highlights and aims of the exhibition program can be found here.

The "Annual Exhibition" exhibits emerging Asian America artists or artists significantly influenced by Asia. The artists are selected from submissions to the Arts Centre's Asian American Artists Slide Archive by a panel of artists and art professionals.

Mid Career Artist Exhibition Series focuses on recognizing the achievements of mid-career artists. This is selected by a panel of peer artists & critics.

"Milieu" series is an exhibition series based on on-going research to light Asian American artists within their historical context in the post World War era, and to provide a historical basis for the cultural presence of the young Asian American artists of today.

PAST EXHIBITIONS

1982-1983 | 1983-1984 | 1984-1985 | 1985-1986 | 1986-1987
1987-1988 | 1988-1989 | 1989-1990 | 1990-1991 | 1991-1992
1992-1993 | 1993-1994 | 1994-1995 | 1995-1996 | 1996-1997
1997-1998 | 1998-1999 | 1999-2000 | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002
2002-2003 | 2003-2004 | 2004-2005 | 2005-2006| 2007

1982-1983
Eye To Eye
This was the first panel on the East Coast bringing together Asian American visual artists to discuss mutual concerns. A slide show of 21 important artists was presented.
Panel Discussion: David Diao, Margo Machida, Lucy Lippard, Lydia Okumura, Kit Yin Snyder, John Woo, John Yau
Participating artists:

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1983-1984
In the Spirit of Dunhuang: Studies by Zhang Hongtu
Catalogue includes a foreword by Robert Lee. Preface by guest curator Ross Lewis. Essays by Annette Juliano and Zhang Hongtu
Participating artist:
Chihung Yang, Works on Paper
Catalogue includes an introduction by Robert Lee, essay by John Yau, and several color illus.

Door Gods and Other Household Deities
Participating Scholars:
Maxine Miska and Anne Goodrich
Rooted in the folk practices and beliefs of China, diverse paper gods are often placed on the doors and in various areas of the house, especially during holidays; they are invested with a wonderful sense of enchantment, piety and humor. Introduction by Anne Goodrich. Essays by Maxine Miska and Robert Lee.

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1984-1985
Emily, Anna and Ti Shan: the First Generation

Curated by Robert Lee

Triangular Langscapes

Curated by Robert Lee
Catalogue includes essays by _____ and Robert Lee.

Dreams and Fantasies

Curated by Robert Lee
Catalogue includes essays by Barry Schwabsky and Robert Lee.

The 1st Annual Open Studio Show
Featured guided tours to ten artists studios in Chinatown commnity, and a group show of works by eleven artists.
June 1985
Artists with open studios:

Artists with works at the Arts Centre:

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1985-1986
The 2nd Annual Open Studio Show
Featured guided tours to thirteen artists studios in Chinatown commnity, and a group show of works by fifteen artists.
May 1986
Artists with open studios:

Artists with works at the Arts Centre:

Ming Chip Fung: The Seal 1975-1985
Jan 9 - Feb 5 1986
Curated by Robert Lee
This show includes a catalogue pamphlet with essay by Wang Fangyu (which was reprinted by Han Art Gallery in Hong Kong years later.)

The City
Curated by Robert Lee

Orientalism

Curated by Robert Lee
This show includes a catalogue with essays by Robert Lee.

Fathers

Catalogue includes essays by _____ and Fay Chaing.

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1986-1987
The 3rd Annual Open Studio Show
Featured guided tours to seven artists studios in Chinatown commnity, and a group show of works by sixteen artists.
May 1987
Artists with open studios:

Artists with works at the Arts Centre:

The Mind's Series
Curated by Robert Lee

The Mind's I, Part 1: artists of diverse backgrounds approach their changing self-conceptions

The Mind's I, Part 2: artists of diverse backgrounds approach their changing self-conceptions
Luis Cruz Azaceta      Robert Colescott      Margo Machida

The Mind's I, Part 3: artists of diverse backgrounds approach their changing self-conceptions
William Jung      Charles Parness      Jorge Tacla

The Mind's I, Part 4: artists of diverse backgrounds approach their changing self-conceptions
Albert Chong      Linda Peer      Alison Saar      Patti Warashina

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1987-1988
The 4th Annual Open Studio Show
Featured guided tours to six artists studios in Chinatown community, and a group show of works by twelve artists.
April - May 1988
Artists with open studios:

Artists with works at the Arts Centre:

Confucius Life Story: a mural installation of original rubbings.
September 1987
Participating Artist: Sun Jingbo from Beijing

One Eye or Two
Dec 4, 1987 - Jan 6, 1988 Curated by Robert Lee
Tseng Kwong Chi      E'wao Kagoshima      Bing Lee
Catalogue includes essays by _____ and Robert Lee.

From Cambodia to the Bronx
An exhibit of photographs documenting the Cambodian refugee community in the Bronx. This exhibition was later taken by the Smithsonian for a national tour. See exhibitions 1999.
January - February 1988
Participating Artist: Leah Melnick, (Bronx)

Yesterday: Reflection on Childhood
Works that reflected their unique perspective as Asian American through experiences in their childhood with catalogue essay by Kimiko Hahn.
March - April 1988

Public Art in Chinatown
May - July 1988
A selection of sculptures, models, drawing and site plans proposed for specific locations in the Downtown/Chinatown community. Catalogue in newspaper format freely distributed with essays by John Yau, Kyong Park, and Robert Lee.
Curated by Robert Lee

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1988-89
The 5th annual Open Studio Show
October 1988
Featured guided tours to six artists studios in Chinatown commnity, and a group show of works by ten artists.
Artists with open studios:

Artists with works at the Arts Centre:

Epoxy "Eighteen Levels of Hell"
Kang Chung        Kwok Man Ho       Andrew Culver       Bing Lee        Ming Fay

Invented Selves: Images of Asian American Identity
Guest Curator Margo Machida
Ken Chu       Susan Suzuki       David Chung

2 Emerging Artists
Guest Curator John Yau
Editha Mesina       Cal Lom (New Mexico)

Uptown/DownTown
Held in two locations, the Arts Centre and the Dept. of Cultural Affairs at Columbus Circle
Curated by Robert Lee

CHINA June 4 ... 1989" First Stage
June 9 - Sept 30, 1989 at the Arts Centre
Participating artists

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1989-90
"Aurora"
Guest curated by Fred Wilson
March 8 - April 4th, 1990
Sook-Jin Jo            Richard Tsao            Gar Wong

"Witnesses" (CHINA June 4 ... 1989" )
May 10 - June 29, 1990
Participating artists:
Stefan Umaerus (Switzerland)                  Alan Chan
"Deng" (Zhang Yong Xu) (from China)

"CHINA June 4...1989"
Organized by the Arts Centre
June 9 - Sept 30, 1989 at the Arts Centre
Oct 12 - Nov 12, 1989 at Blum Helman where large works were also included.
Extended exhibition Nov 20 -Jan 12, 1990 at the Arts Centre
Apr 22 - June 17, 1990 at PS 1 Museum
This exhibition included 170 doors linked together to form two large spirals. About one hundred small works were also selected by the guest curators John Yau, Susanna Leval, ¬¨¬®¬àˆù¬¨ˆÝ¬¨¬±¬¨¬®¬àˆù¬¨ˆÝ¬¨¬±? Large works were excluded by the curators.

CHINA June 4 - International Memorial Arts Festival
June 4 - June 24, 1990
At the Hong Kong Art Centre Participating artists: 271 total

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1990-91
AAAC 1st Annual 1990
September - November 1990

Focus on Artists from Hong Kong
November-December 1990
Panelists: Look Up
Participating Artists:
Choi Yan Chi (HK) with Terry Chen          Comyn Mo (HK)
Pia Ho (HK)

Violence of Victory
April-May 1991
Curated by Robert Lee
Participating Artists:
Vinod Dave         Dorothy Imagire
Leo Kwang (in collaboration with Vivian Mak)

Okuhara Tetsuaki
July 1991
Curated by Robert Lee

One-person show: Tetsu Okuhara

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1991-1992
AAAC Annual: "From 'Star Star' to Avant Garde - Nine Artsits from China",
Part 1
October 17 - November 14th
Organized by

Part 2 November 21 - December 20

Ling Ling was presented twice as a memorial to his untimely death in Times Square.

One person show: Ik-Joong Kang
Curated by Robert Lee &

Tai Dang performance at Henry St. Settlement
April 26-7 1991
Participating artist: Tai Dang

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1992-1993
"CHINA June 4 1989 ..."
Traveling exhibition Mexic-Arte in Austin, Texas
June 4, 1992 to July 14, 1992,
Cleveland Institute of Art in Cleveland, Ohio August 24, 1992 to Ocotber 4, 1992.
Participating artists:

"And He Was Looking for Asia: Alternatives to the Story of Christopher Columbus Today."
September 25 - October 29, 1992
Curated by Robert Lee

The AAAC Annual: "My Eyes Blur Sometimes, at Beauty" 2ed Annual
November 20 - December 30, 1992

"Yin Peet", a one woman show
Curated by Robert Lee
March 12-April 16, 1993

"We Count! The State of Asian Pacific America"
May 10-May 31, 1993
Extensive document accompanied the exhibition on issues gathered by LEAP and amplified by Lorinda Chen with information on NYC. Portions were published in Artspiral.
Curated by Robert Lee

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1993-1994
Three: Works by 1992-1993 Artists-in-Residence
Oct 1 - Nov 1, 1993
Elaine Tin Nyo         Alexander Ku          Dinh Le

Milieu: Part I
Nov 19 - Dec 29 1993
Based on the research project begun in 1986 entitled "Asian American Artists and Their Milieu 1945 - 1965"
Curated by Robert Lee
Artists: Bernice Bing         Byron Goto         Ted Kurahara

Betrayal/Empowerment Part II 3rd Annual
Mar 18-Apr 30, 1994

Betrayal/Empowerment Part I
Apr 18-May 4, 1994; extended to June 10, 1994
Curated by Robert Lee
Held at Columbia U. Teacher's College as part of a conference on Asian American issues.

"CHINA June 4 1989 ..." Traveling exhibition
Oct 14, 1994 to Nov 30, 1994
Buckham Gallery in Flint Michigan
This was an art exhibition organized by Asian American Arts Centre marking the massacre in Tiananmen Square on June 4, 1989 in Beijing. The exhibition was jointly curated by Lau Gin Wei of Hong Kong, Robert Lee, director of the Asian American Arts Centre, and John Yau, poet & art critic. This exhibition has traveled from Asian American Arts Centre, New York, NY to the Institute for Contemporary Art P. S. 1 Museum, Long Island City, NY, from April 22 to June 17 in 1990, to the Hong Kong Arts Center, and to Buckham Gallery in Flint, Michigan from October 7 to November 26, 1994. The second part contains information about the exhibition itself, focusing on the censoring of three pieces by a United States Senate Committee when a portion of the show was to exhibit at the Russell Rotunda in 1990. This exhibition was selected by the Art in America as one of the most important exhibitions of the year.

The purpose of this exhibition is to educate the public about the Tiananmen Square massacre and the struggle for human rights. Hundreds of artists have joined together to create this event, a momentous symbol to perpetuate the memory of Tiananmen Square. Now, five years after Tiananmen Square and less than a year after the World conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the terror of Tiananmen Square has receded in time. The memory of Tiananmen Square, however, has not been forgotten. This exhibition of the art that was forged in its aftermath continues to keep that memory alive. Tiananmen Square and the terror of what a government can do to its own people is a potent reminder. Tiananmen Square continues to be a spectacle of a government's capacity to crush human lives and ideals.

Participating are such artists as Leon Golub, Barbara Kruger, Vito Acconci, Nam June Paik, Edgar Heap of Birds, Ik Joong Kang, Byron Kim, Agnes Denes, Bing Lee, Donald Lipski, Zhang Hung-tu, Jorge Tacla, Ling Ling, John Duff, Martin Wong, Liliana Porter, Luis Camnitzer, Betty Beaumont, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Robin Hill, Mel Chin, Dolly Unithan and many others. The exhibition continues to be open to all artists of every background. The symbolic core of the exhibition is a wall of free standing doors, painted and sculpted, which are linked together, enabling additional artists to join in shaping the form of this wall. Linked freestanding doors express and symbolize hope for the future of China through collaboration and participation.

This exhibition raises the issue of human rights in China. However, it also is a lesson to Americans, for it demonstrates the attack on people's rights in the United States, specifically the right to freedom of expression. This exhibition, marking the Chinese people's quest for liberty, was itself refused the right to free expression and was censored by the Senate Select Committee on Ethics in June 1990, when it traveled to a Congressional Rotunda. "CHINA - June 4, 1989..." educates the public about Tiananmen Square, about the story of the people who fought for freedom and democracy, about the threats to fundamental rights in the United States and it does this through the response of artists and an outpouring of art. The meaning and the drama of Tiananmen Square remain for all people to see and respond.

Participating artists:

Additional Artists from Flint who joined the exhibition:

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1994-1995
Three: Works by 1993-1994 Artists-in-Residence
Sept 29 - Nov 11, 1994
Debi Ray-Chaudhuri         Sowon Kwon         Sikay Tang

Photography and Community: 4th Annual
November 17 - December 31
Mei-Ling Hom, CA         Corky Lee         Wing Young Huie, CA

Chinese/Korean Calligraphy
Organized by Dr. Sun Wuk Kim & Robert Lee
Feb. 9-March 4, 1995
Participating Chinatown calligraphers & artists:

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1995 - 1996
Ancestors
Curated by Robert Lee

Musicians: Butch Morris & Sumi Tonooka, AfJA

Joseph Yen, a one person exhibition
Sept 1995

12 Thoughts and Frank 5th Annual
Nov 1995
Paticipating Artists:

Passion and Compassion
Jan 96
Curated by Robert Lee
Participating artists:

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1996-1997
12 Cicadas in the Tree of Knowledge 6th Annual
Sept 1996
Participating Artists:

Milieu Part II
Dec 1996
Curated by Robert Lee
Participating Artists:

Folk Art
Feb 1997
Thang ka painter, Ms. Kelsang Wangmo

Three Generations: Towards a History of Asian American Art
Curated by Robert Lee
April - May 97
Tseng Ta- Yu (Ca)             Phillip P. Chan (Oh)             Theresa Chong

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1997-1998
Stream Segment: The Reintegration of Tradition in Contemporary Art 7th Annual
October - December 1997