Bulletin CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA | FALL 2008 | VOL. 44, NO. 3

Glamour & Grace Gala 2008 Celebrates Another Fabulous Year!

he Chinese Historical Empress of China to the Present.” A Society of America world premiere of a new video Tpresented its annual fund- sharing about Him Mark Lai, the raising gala Glamour & Dean of Chinese American History, Grace 2008 on Saturday, and his legacy was also presented. September 20 at 6 pm at 2008 has been a landmark the Four Seasons Hotel in year for CHSA with "The Chinese San Francisco. A crowd of of California: A Struggle for Com- nearly 400 people rep- munity" at the California Historical resenting a grand mix of Society. Through a unique collection Asian American society—political of artifacts, images, documents, and figures, professionals, corporate and personal stories, this groundbreak- foundation sponsors, and commu- ing exhibit explores the complex nity leaders—were present for the history and unique challenges of evening’s festivities. Chinese Americans in their fight for Glamour & Grace 2008 show- civil rights. cased artistry and accomplishment Historian Phil Choy addresses the Another prominent example capacity crowd at CHSA’s annual gala. through new multi-media presenta- Photo by Leland Wong. of CHSA’s work this year was the tions accompanying musical perfor- launch this spring, in celebration of mances by Composer & Pianist Jon nese American History, was honored Asian Pacific Heritage Month, of the Jang and Saxophonist Francis Wong. by the musical duo with the piece Civil Rights Suite, a trio of exhibits

Philip Choy, the Architect of Chi- “Three Hundred Years: From the Continued on page 4

”The Chinese of California“ Closing Reception

early 100 people attended the closing ceremony of ”The Chinese of California“ exhibit on Thurs- Nday, August 21, 2008. This event was a last chance for visitors to view the exhibit while also enjoying a pre- view of Charlie Chin’s work-in-progress performance of “Uncle Toisan,” as supported by the California Council for the Humanities, San Francisco Arts Commission, and Zellerbach Family Foundation. A first-ever collaboration of The Bancroft Library of the University of California at Berkeley, California His- torical Society, and CHSA, ”The Chinese of California“ David Crosson, California Historical Society Executive challenged preconceptions about the Chinese immigrant Director, addresses the large crowd at the closing ceremony. Photo by Dr. Donald Cheu. Continued on page 6 Upcoming Events

CHINESE HISTORICAL in 2009 SOCIETY OF AMERICA The Architecture of San Francisco Chinatown BOARD OFFICERS Thursday, February 5, 2009, 6 pm Paul Fong, President San Francisco Public Library, Latino/Hispanic Connie Young Yu, 1st Vice President Community Room, 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco Doug Chan, Esq., 2nd Vice President The San Francisco Public Library and CHSA present a book Linda Cheu, Treasurer reading by Phil Choy, author, retired architect, and Board Virginia C. Gee, Secretary Emeritus of CHSA. Phil’s latest publication is the new edi- BOARD OF DIRECTORS tion of his seminal study, The Architecture of San Francisco Donald Chan Chinatown. Cedric Cheng Linda A. Cheu Canton Footprints: Sacramento’s Chinese Legacy Willard Chin Saturday, February 21, 2009, 2 pm Barre Fong CHSA, 965 Clay Street, San Francisco Calvin Fong Chinese Americans have long contributed to Sacramento’s Robert Fung diversity and been an integral part of its rich history. In Russell Leong this reading of his most recent book, historian Philip Choy Alexander Lock brings more than 150 years of Chinese American history Galin Luk in the Delta area to new audiences. Dr. Rodney Lum William G. Roop A Celebration of the Year of the Ox: Alisa Yee A Historical & Musical Legacy Jeffery P. Woo, Esq., Legal Counsel Saturday, February 28, 2009, 2-5 pm

BOARD EMERITI Hakone Gardens, 21000 Big Basin Way, Saratoga Him Mark Lai CHSA is proud to co-sponsor, in association with Philip P. Choy the Hakone Foundation, a celebration of the Lunar New Year at the beautiful Hakone Gardens OFFICERS in Saratoga, CA. Historian Connie Young Yu will Thomas W. Chinn give an illustrated talk about the garden’s history. Courtesy Connie Young Yu. C.H. Kwock The event will also feature the musical wonders of Chingwah Lee Francis Wong. A $25 per person donation is kindly requested. H.K. Wong Thomas W.S. Wu, D.D.S. The Fortune Cookie Chronicles STAFF Sunday, March 22, 2009, 2 pm Sue Lee, Executive Director CHSA, 965 Clay Street, San Francisco Francis Wong, Deputy Director In The Fortune Cookie Chronicles, author and New York Judy Hu, Communications Manager Times reporter Jennifer 8. Lee takes readers on a remark- Liana Koehler, Administrative able journey that is both foreign and familiar by traveling Assistant the world in her quest to understand Chinese food and Lenora Lee, Operations Manager the people who make it. Michelle Louie, Administrative Her journey took her to the hometown of General Assistant Tso (a military hero immortalized as much for crunchy Anna Naruta, PhD, Director of chicken as his conquests), the surprising origins of the fortune cookie (it’s Archives not China!), and to six continents in search of the world’s greatest Chinese Pam Wong, Programs Coordinator restaurant. The book also sparks debates as to who really invented chop Charlie Chin, Artist-in-Residence suey and why Jews love Chinese food—and is an insightful tribute to im- migrants and to America.

Fall 2008 n Page 2 Celebrating the Life & Art of Painter Gary Woo

he late Gary Woo of California and City Lights was one of the most Foundation. Taccomplished artists asso- Yolanda reflects about ciated with the 1950s and Gary: 60s development of ab- “Gary was a shy man stract expression. His art and an inspired painter who is infused with his per- never seemed to run out of sonal experiences as an ideas. He always painted... immigrant from Canton, no matter what. As we began China—including endur- our life together, I deter- ing a brief detention at mined that my main role was Angel Island Immigration to see that he would never Station in 1939. have to stop painting. We “I paint to live,” Gary lived on the income gained Woo wrote in a vibrant, from paintings he sold all Artist Gary Woo at work in 1985. Courtesy Yolanda Garfias Woo. near-calligraphic script through my university years. in a handmade book describing his being, tied to and yet beyond only When I began teaching, I was able directions in research into balance, human scale.” to relieve this financial burden. Ev- turbulence, art, and the cosmos.” “Herself an artist and educator, ery birthday and Christmas (as well “Gary's 1960 de Young Museum his wife and lifelong partner Yolanda as for 'no reason' celebrations dur- solo exhibition was described by the Garfias Woo shares the multi-world ing the year), I bought him paint, San Francisco Chronicle’s preemi- perspectives of a deeply rooted canvas, and rice paper. In this way nent art critic Alfred Frankenstein Chinese American experience, and he never ran out of materials. Our as “a many-sided, ripe, and totally the new and innovative explorations life was completely centered around rewarding fusion of Eastern and made possible by deep study of the arts, education, and painting.” Western ways in art.” Here “fusion” traditional cultural forms and their "Now he has left me with an must be restored to its atomic-age enactment by the ancestors before enormous legacy and the responsi- meaning: adding considered, nearly- us," noted CHSA's Director of bility of caring for all the work he overpowering yet focused energy to Archives and Exhibits, Dr. Anna left behind. I have never doubted the most basic, elemental particles— Naruta, in the project statement for his value as an artist, and when- for Gary Woo, line and color—and Yolanda's publication with CHSA in ever the public saw his work, they releasing an entirely new state of partnership with Oakland Museum Continued on page 6 A Meeting of Two Souls Gallery and Illustrated Talk and Booksigning

rtist Yolanda Garfias Woo shared on Satur- day, October 19 about the deep connections Abetween Chinese and Mexican traditional cultures, as shown in her ofrenda for her late husband, the painter Gary Woo. A 2 pm gallery talk was followed by a 3 pm il- lustrated talk and booksigning for A Meeting of Two Souls: A Tribute to Gary Woo, A Painter’s Painter by Yolanda Garfias Woo (published by CHSA with Oak- land Museum of California and City Lights Founda- tion, 2008). “Audience members were powerfully moved

Yolanda Garfias Woo at the Oakland Museum of California. Continued on page 6 Courtesy R. Vekony.

Fall 2008 n Page 3 Glamour & Grace Gala 2008

continued from page 1 comprised of The Chinese of California, Remembering 1882, and To Enjoy and Defend Our American Citizenship. This tri- A Special Thank You to umvirate of exhibits is a first voice institution representing Glamour & Grace 2008 Sponsors the Chinese American fight for equality. Premier Sponsors Mistress of Ceremonies Cynthia Gouw, a multiple PG&E Emmy-award winning journalist, lawyer, actress, and cover Mark Ross Foundation girl, as well as Miss Chinatown USA 1984, presided over Distinguished Patrons the evening’s activities. q Gee Family Foundation Sam Wong Hotel

We appreciate our featured sponsors: Honored Benefactors Andrew Leong Cresleigh Development LLC Him Mark & Laura Lai John & Connie Young Yu Parkmerced SW Hotels San Francisco Waterfront Partners LLC Shorenstein Company Ted & Doris Lee Wells Fargo Foundation

Contributors Annie Soo AT&T Bruce Chin Buck Gee Burr Pilger Mayer Chao Suet Foundation Dr. Donald Cheu Fong Foundation Jackson Pacific Ventures Hazel Louie Linda Cheu May & Sinclair Louie New York Life Poon Foundation Rueben & Junius Sarah & Phil Choy United Commercial Bank

Donors Dr. Rolland Lowe H. Marcia Smolens KTSF Louie-Marsh Family Fund Mabel Yick Louie Nibbi Brothers Associates, Inc. Paul & Emma Louie Peter Wiley Raymond Huang Gala attendees enjoy a glorious evening of food, Robert & Alva Herr wine, and merriment. Photo by Leland Wong. Virginia C. Gee

Fall 2008 n Page 4 Glamour & Grace Gala 2008

Long-time CHSA supporters Annie Soo and Him Mark Lai converse during a quiet moment. Buck Gee, VP of Cisco Systems; Sheryle Bolton, President of the Indian Creek Group; and Mary Hackenbracht, Sr. Assistant Attorney General, California Department of Justice. Laurene Wu McClain, daughter of CHSA founder Thomas Wu; Pianist & Composer Jon Jang; and Saxophonist & Flutist Francis Wong.

Valerie Wylie; Artist Yolanda Garfias Woo; and Peter Wiley, Chairman of John Wiley & Sons. Gimmy Park Li; Dr. Anna Naruta, Lynn Bunim, AT&T Executive Director CHSA Director of Archives; Judy of External Affairs; Sue Lee, CHSA Hu, CHSA Communications Executive Director; and Julian Chang. Manager; and Mistress of All gala photos by Leland Wong. Ceremonies Cynthia Gouw.

Spirit of Japantown San Jose Street Festival

HSA participated in the “Spirit of Japantown San Jose” Street Festival in the South Bay on Saturday, October 4. CLocated in the heart of San Jose Japantown in the eight blocks surrounding 5th & Jackson streets, the festival featured arts and crafts, car exhibitions, antiques, fine arts, food and products from Japan, a Hawaiian section, a kids activity zone, and plenty of enter- tainment. CHSA Artist-in-Residence Charlie Chin performed original songs in the afternoon at the CHSA booth, which also featured exhibit materials. Colorful cultural booths as well as clips from the CHSA Artist-in-Residence Charlie Chin at the films “Homebase:A Chinatown Called Heinlenville” and “Ping Pong Spirit of Japantown. Photo by Jennifer Yu. Playa,” both by Academy-award winning director Jessica Yu, were featured at the festival. Presented by the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj), the street celebration took place in one of the last three major Japantowns that remain in the United States. q

Fall 2008 n Page 5 Gary Woo A Meeting of Two Souls

continued from page 3 continued from page 3 re-affirmed my belief. My hope and by Yolanda’s talk," said Barbara dream now is for his work to find its Henry, Chief Curator of Educa- way into major museums, publica- tion at the Oakland Museum of tions and collections. I hope his California. "They learned much work can be established in such a about Gary’s life as an excep- way, that when I am gone, it will not tional painter, their unique be lost. He created so much beauty bond as life long soul mates and that my daily question is: How can I partners, and her own work as share this with the world?” an anthropologist and artist. Following the 50-year retrospec- This was all evident, too, in the tive of Gary Woo’s work in 2004, ofrenda she created in honor of with the new publication A Meeting Gary for our exhibition, ‘Evolu- of Two Souls: A Tribute to Gary Woo, A tion of a Sacred Space: Días de Painter’s Painter, CHSA continues to los Muertos 2008.’ join with scholars and culture-bear- “The work reflects a fusion ers to document and make accessible of their Chinese and Mexican to the public these essential works, traditions that permeated their as part of CHSA’s work creating creative lives together as artists. broad-based conversations exploring It also speaks to the evolution of the experiences of Chinese Ameri- the Días de los Muertos tradi- cans and the Chinese legacy of the tion in California in incorporat- United States. A close perspective of A Meeting of Two Souls: ing the cultural references and A Special Ofrenda for Gary Woo. Courtesy Gary’s work is also featured in Yolanda Garfias Woo. experiences that reflect the rich the new exhbition, Asian/American/ life and contributions of a very Modern Art: Shifting Currents, 1900- special artist and human being who touched so many lives.“ 1970 at the M.H. de Young Museum A Meeting of Two Souls: A Special Ofrenda for Gary Woo by Yolanda Gar- in San Francisco from October 25, fias Woo was on display at the Oakland Museum of California Dias de los 2008 to January 18, 2009. q Muertos exhibition from October 8 through December 7, 2008. q

”The Chinese of California“

continued from page 1

experience by telling the story through the voices of Chinese Californians themselves as they join countless other immigrants in defin- ing what it means to be a Californian and an American. “Partnering with The Bancroft Library and California Historical Society [was] a mile- stone,” said Sue Lee, CHSA’s Executive Director. “A collaboration between all our institutions recognizes this relevant topic. Beyond the dis- crimination, this exhibit is a humanizing story about people who are struggling to survive and Sue Lee, CHSA Executive Director, speaks passionately succeed—concepts that every immigrant arriv- about the success of the exhibit. ing in America strives for.” q Photo by Dr. Donald Cheu.

Fall 2008 n Page 6 Shifting Currents, 1900-1970 Asian/American/Modern Art

he first comprehensive Dai-chien and calligraphy by exhibition to explore the Martin Wong make this Trich history of work produced exhibition important and by artists of Asian ancestry critical for anyone interested in America, Shifting Currents, in American art. 1900-1970 brings together 95 It is important to note that masterworks created during strict immigration legislation the first seven decades of the of the era means that works 20th century, shedding new by Japanese, Chinese, Fili- light on some of the most im- pino, and Korean American portant cultural contributions artists are predominant; other of Asian Americans during this Setting Sun, Sacramento Valley, Asian American communities period. ca. 1925 by Chiura Obata. for artistic expression came later The exhibition attests to the the revolutionary abstraction of Yun in the century, when these laws impact of Asian culture in America Gee, Alfonso Ossorio, and Isamu were relaxed. by both immigrant and native-born Noguchi. Shifting Currents will be on dis- artists. Major highlights include the The exhibition also premieres play at the M.H. de Young Museum 1960s Fluxus innovations of media important works by artists Mine in Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara artists Nam June Paik and Yoko Okubo and George Matsusaboro Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, Ono; the first museum exhibition of Hibi created during the internment through January 18, 2009. CHSA immense public art works by Tseng of Japanese Americans during World is proud to have been a part of the Yuho and Dong Kingman; and the War II. In addition, treasures such as Audience Development Committee opportunity to consider together a 1968 folding screen by Chang for this exhibit. q

“Uncle Toisan” at the de Young Museum

rtist-in-Residence Charlie Station. Drafted to serve in Europe Chin gave a special, work-in- during World War II, he returns from Aprogress performance of his newest the battlefield to face discrimination at History Alive! feature, “Uncle Toisan,” home as a laborer in the restaurants at the M.H. de Young Museum in San and laundries of San Francisco China- Francisco on November 21. town. “Uncle Toisan” features the stories However, Uncle Toisan witnesses of several individuals with challenging and experiences the tremendous experiences as a Chinese immigrant changes in Chinatown stemming from to the United States. He is an eyewit- the passage of the Civil Rights Act, ness to Chinese American history who the final lifting of the Exclusion Act, bridges the Exclusion Era (1882–1943) the growth of Asian American politi- experience, the modern post-civil cal empowerment, and the changing rights experience (1965–current) and demographics of California due to the emergence of Asian American con- post-Vietnam rounds of immigration. Charlie Chin as “Uncle Toisan.” sciousness. Photo by Judy Hu. This “Uncle Toisan” performance Uncle Toisan enters the country is part of the Friday Nights at the de as a 17-year-old “paper son” and perseveres through Young event running through the Asian/American/Mod- a two-month detention at Angel Island Immigration ern Art: Shifting Currents, 1900-1970 exhibit. q

Fall 2008 n Page 7 The Legacy Circle

he Legacy Circle recognizes and honors those generous individuals Twhose estate and life income gifts will provide future support for CHSA. The Circle is open to all those who provide support for CHSA in their estate plans, through wills, trusts, life income gifts, IRAs, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and other vehicles. Member- ship does not involve dues or obligations of any kind, and information is never shared with others. CHSA holds special events for mem- bers of the Circle, including performances and lectures delivered by CHSA artist- in-residence and other special guests. Members who have given permission to list their names will be recognized in the CHSA Bulletin and in other publications. The main exhibit at CHSA welcomes If you wish to join the Legacy Circle, thousands of visitors to the museum every please contact Judy Hu at [email protected] year. Photo by Dr. Donald Cheu. or (415) 391-1188 x107. q

CHSA will be closed for the The CHSA Bulletin is published quarterly. To contribute articles about Chinese American community and historical news and holidays from December 16, 2008 events, please submit articles to [email protected]. to January 5, 2009. We will see you next year Writer & Editor: Judy Hu || Design: Elaine Joe beginning January 6, 2009!

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