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2005 China Exchange
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Arriving in Beijing
When I was growing up in Oakland, California’s Chinatown
in the 1940s and 1950s my father told me stories about his
homeland, instilling in me an attachment to China that I have
to this day. So, in May of 2004, when Roger Shimomura, a distinguished
Japanese American artist, led an art and professional exchange
to China I participated as one of the six artists and educators
in the delegation. During the 10-day exchange I viewed China
through a new lens as we lectured at universities and colleges
in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. At the conclusion of Roger’s
tour I knew that I wanted to lead a future exchange. Through
the auspices of World Trade and Exchanges LLC in Redmond,
Washington, I applied immediately for an opportunity to do
so. Before long, I received a letter from Mr. Li Hanquan,
Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Workers Center for International
Exchange, inviting me to lead an exchange to China in 2005.
In October of 2005, after organizing for eighteen months,
I led a delegation of outstanding artists, historians, and
other professionals – Greg Chew, Nate Chew, Lenore Chinn,
Allison Chop, Joyce Iwasaski, Nina Koepcke, Alexandra Lieu,
Jane Place and her mother-in-law, Betty, my sister, Lai Webster,
my husband, Edward K. Wong, and Connie Young Yu - to China.
Our destinations were Tsinghua University in Beijing, the
Xian Academy of Fine Arts, and the Shanghai Academy of Arts
and Crafts. As official delegates on a people-to-people basis,
we represented the art, history, and business worlds of the
San Francisco, South Bay areas of California and the Seattle,
Washington region. We were also fortunate to have the support
of the San Jose-based Arts Council Silicon Valley (ACSV) through
the presence of their president, Joyce Iwasaki, and through
the work of Diem Jones, Director of Programs. I had two goals
for the exchange. I wanted to introduce the diversity of American
artists and their work to the Chinese students. I wanted them
to learn about the Chinese disapora in America.
In Beijing, the first stop of our tour, we were officially
welcomed at a sumptuous banquet by Mr. Li, officials of arts
organizations, and art professors from Tsinghua University.
In all three cities, our delegation presented two panels –an
art group and an historical and business group through power
point programs. Each artist - Lenore Chinn, Nina Koepcke,
Jane Place, and I – talked about our paintings, drawings,
ceramics, and installation art. Joyce Iwasaski presented the
art of two past ACSV fellows, Binh Tai Danh and Terry Acebo
Davis. Connie Young Yu, writer and historian, anchored the
historical and business panel. Connie spoke about the history
of the Chinese in America; Allison shared her experience as
a manager of a Whole Foods grocery store; Greg addressed his
role as an urban planner. At each site, our delegation, filled
with excitement and anticipation, were warmly greeted by officials
and administrators. Our presentations improved at each new
site and during our last presentation at the Shanghai Academy
of Arts and Crafts lecture we soared. We were elated that
there was a standing room only event with students enthusiastically
snapping photographs of the proceedings with their digital
cameras. In Shanghai as in Beijing and Xian we distributed
our personal art postcards, t shirts, and other items to the
students at the end of the presentations.
In addition to presenting, our delegation toured the art departments
of the universities and colleges. We saw the Beijing Biennale,
which introduced us to contemporary art being shown in China.
Jane Place, Karen Brown (a 2004 delegate), and I (thanks to
support from South Bay art supporters, Jerry Hiura and Yosh
Uchida) displayed our art in a Beijing group exhibition, which
our delegation viewed. In Xian, we visited an art department
office at the Academy of Fine Art, viewed student exhibitions
and later we ate lunch with students and professors, giving
us a much-desired opportunity to exchange ideas and to ask
questions in a more intimate setting. We also visited vibrant
art districts in the three cities, including the Beijing-based
798 Gallery region and the amazing Shanghai Museum of Art.
I was honored and privileged to lead the exchange. My greatest
satisfaction came when the Mr. Li and Mr. Zhao, the Beijing
region coordinator, told me that they had learned so much
from us at our Tsinghua University presentation. I was also
pleased to see that students from the three institutions were
eager to gain knowledge about America through our eyes. Since
settling in at home various delegation members have been sharing
their stunning photographs, attending Chinese opera performances,
and presenting on post-exchange panel presentations. Most
importantly, our delegation now understands a little more
about the complexities of China through art and culture, thanks
to the excellent translation of our interpreter and trouble-shooter,
the exquisite Mao Lina who accompanied us throughout our destinations
in China.
I think that my father would be proud.
Flo Oy Wong
March 22, 2006
Meeting our host, Mr. Zhao, and our national guide: Mao Lina
Welcome banquet in Beijing with Mr. Li Hanquan, host
Site of Beijing Biennale
Art work in domestic section of Beijing Biennale
Xian Academy of Fine Art
Students and guests at Xian Academy of Fine Arts
Xian Academy of Fine Arts printmaking student
Presentation at Shanghai Academy of Arts and Crafts
U. S. delegation members, Nate Chew and Lenore Chinn, with
Mao Lina
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