When Women Rise:

Chinese Immigrant Women Surviving and Kicking the Gold Mountain

Through 25 paintings tracing the work of Chinese immigrants since 1965, I hope to show the human spirit and resilience of immigrants to better their lives and future generations. Some paintings will show the daily toils of Chinese immigrants working in garment sweatshops and restaurants, selling fruits and produce as street vendors, providing home care as home attendants. Others will recount the historical and current political marches and protests Chinese immigrant women collectively participated or even led to fight for better working conditions. Their struggles not only show bravery, but also emphatically challenge the myth of the Gold Mountain that immigrants enjoy a better life here in America. When many age and “retire” into scavenging five-cents cans on the streets, these paintings raise questions about humanity, community, and political power, or the lack thereof in this economic system.

My vision for this exhibition is a national tour.

*More paintings will be added to this ongoing project.