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Indepth Arts News:
"AsianLens Presents: August 2002 Photo Exhibit"
2002-08-06 until 2002-09-07
Chambers Fine Art
New York, NY,
USA United States of America
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 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.
IMAGE:
Hidemi Sato
C-print, 30”x40”
“Happie Photographie Series,” 2001
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