4 minute read
St. Pete Life Nov/Dec 2023
The James Museum delves deep into the culture of the Chinese who inhabited the American frontier.
BY MARCIA BIGGS
Leave it to The James Museum to present the Western Art genre in a worldly perspective, and simultaneously bring an often overlooked period of America’s history into focus. From Far East to West: The Chinese American Frontier immerses visitors in a captivating journey through time, culture and identity, showcasing the remarkable contributions of early Chinese Americans in transforming the landscape and character of the American West.
From the Gold Rush and the Transcontinental Railroad to the development of Chinatowns and Angel Island, the contemporary work of Chinese American artists Hung Liu (1948 – 2021), Mian Situ (born 1953), Jie Wei Zhou (born 1962), and Benjamin Wu (born 1961) transports the viewer back in time to gain insight into what life was like for early Chinese immigrants who helped build the American West.
The exhibit is a treasure trove of original documents, photographs, artifacts and paintings, and all descriptions have been painstakingly translated to Chinese alongside the English text. Curated by James Museum Curator of Art Emily Kapes and in consultation with the Suncoast Association of Chinese Americans of Tampa Bay, the exhibit was two years in the planning stages. Kapes partnered with ten lenders, including museums and private collectors, to bring the art and objects together for this exhibition. “It was an opportunity to expand on the works by Chinese American artists already in our collection and engage with Chinese American art and culture in a thought-provoking and visually captivating manner,” she said.
The Westward expansion of European American settlers during the 19th-century is a well-known chapter in American history. However, From Far East to West reveals a parallel development of the West Coast, catalyzed by the discovery of gold in the mid-1800s. Chinese immigrants, drawn by the allure of opportunity, played an integral part in the population boom that ensued. Their journey, resilience and contributions are eloquently portrayed throughout the exhibit. An additional section spotlights Chinese American artist Z.S. Liang (born 1953), whose fascination with the history of his adopted country led him to a career painting 19th century Native American life.
This is not an exhibit to be breezed through; plan to spend time taking in this history lesson. There is much to read and absorb. It is estimated that 12,000 to 20,000 Chinese laborers spent more than five years clearing land and laying track through the Sierra Nevada during construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s. More than 1,200 perished. Blasting a Route Through the Sierra Nevada by Mian Situ is a strong portrayal as it is paired with a 7-minute PBS video.
We see many original photos and documents from the time including original identification papers and collections of small artifacts such as herbal medicine bottles, hand embroidered lotus shoes and an antique mah-jongg chest.
The mesmerizing paintings by contemporary Chinese American artists are fascinating as they portray untold stories and a cultural narrative rooted in resiliency and self-determination. They are snapshots in time – Toy Peddler of Dupont Street shows a common scene on a San Francisco Chinatown street. Dragon Parade by Jie Wei Zhou portrays a joyous evening from the Lunar New Year in 1904 in Chinatown.
In the end, this is a highly emotional journey –one of pain and sadness, yes, but also strength and determination. It’s a journey that should not be missed.
From Far East to West: The Chinese American Frontier, continues through January 28, 2024, at the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art. Programming to accompany this exhibit can be found at thejamesmuseum.org/events/
