Asian American Artists in California: A Symposium

From the Chinese photographers of the gold rush to contemporary video artists, men and women of Asian descent have produced a rich, diverse body of artwork. Examining the lives and work of artists past and present offers insights into issues of cultural hybridity, race, social climate, and transnationalism. This symposium celebrates the publication of Asian American Art: A History, 1850–1970 and is one of the events commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center and other ethnic studies centers at UCLA.

The first panel, on the history of long-neglected artists includes Sharon Spain, associate director of the Asian American Art Project; Mark Johnson, professor of art at San Francisco State University and curator of Asian/American/Modern Art: Shifting Currents, 1900–1970 at the de Young Museum; Karin Higa, adjunct senior curator of art at the Japanese American National Museum; and Gordon Chang, professor of history at Stanford University. Moderated by Valerie J. Matsumoto, associate professor in history and Asian American Studies at UCLA. For the second panel, contemporary artists Reanne Estrada, Yong Soon Min, and Viet Lê discuss their work within a transnational context. Moderated by Aimee Chang, Director of Academic and Residency Programs at the Hammer Museum.