From Far East to West: The Chinese American Frontier Exhibit

Immerse yourself in stories of resiliency and self-determination in From Far East to West: The Chinese American Frontier special exhibit at The James Museum. Opening on October 14, 2023, and running through January 28, 2024. This groundbreaking exhibition immerses visitors in a captivating journey through time, culture and identity, showcasing the remarkable history and 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 guests back in time to gain insight into what life was like for early Chinese immigrants who helped build the American West.

Often drawing inspiration from their own—more recent—immigration stories, and using historical documentation as their guide, the artists’ paintings and artifacts featured in From Far East to West create a rich narrative tapestry that speaks to culture, identity and community, and how the past can impact the present. An additional section of the exhibition spotlights artist Z.S. Liang, whose fascination with the history of his adopted country led him to a career painting Native American life.

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(special exhibits are included with museum admission)