FROM FAR EAST TO WEST: THE CHINESE AMERICAN FRONTIER

While European American settlers pushed the frontier westward throughout the 1800s, the West coast of the continent was independently developing as well. Accelerated by the discovery of gold mid-century, the population boom included Chinese immigrants who crossed the Pacific to California.​​

This exhibition features narratives of Chinese American history and experiences through paintings and artifacts. Contemporary Chinese American artists present historical interpretations that speak to culture, identity, and resilience. From the Gold Rush and the building of the Transcontinental Railroad to the development of Chinatowns and anti-Chinese sentiment, this exhibition brings to light contributions and perspectives important to America’s story.

An additional section of the gallery will be dedicated to figurative paintings by artist Z.S. Liang. After immigrating from China to America in the 1980s to continue his art education, he became fascinated with painting Native American history. Now widely considered a master of the Western art genre, Liang traveled a unique path to achieve prominence. This selection of paintings from The James collection reflects his dedication to research, passion for Native history, and storytelling expertise.

Credit: Overview from museum website