Asian American Art

"...a must-read for specialists in American ethnic history.... It will surely remain a classic work in Asian American studies and—it is to be hoped—in American art history."—Greg Robinson, l'Université du Québec Montréal, Journal of American Ethnic History
"Here are artists and work that have long been lost, forgotten, and in some cases deliberately hidden. I was impressed by the comprehensive, thoughtful, insightful, and sometimes provocative approach taken in the essays, but to see the art itself! We see the breadth and range of experience, styles, and obstacles both artistic and personal. What is western? What is eastern? How did citizenship, internment, or discrimination affect these artists? Asian American Art faces these questions and beyond."—Lisa See, author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love
"I congratulate the team that has devoted years of work to this remarkable recovery of Asian American art making. Every library in the country should have this art history book on its reference shelves for its names, its biographies, its reproductions, and its fresh and inspirational stories of courage and dedication."—Wanda M. Corn, Professor Emerita, Stanford University
"A dazzling collection of images and essays which recuperates a century of Asian American artistic production, Asian American Art: A History, 1850-1970 provides us, at long last, with a comprehensive and foundational work. More than a convenient ìbridge,î the hundreds of images reproduced here explode the static and tired categories of ìWesternî and ìEasternî art. Beyond introducing the art and the artists in depth and in context, the essays in this volume stand as a brilliant exploration into the historical meaning of Asian American art. This book challenges the reader to re-visualize American art and re-imagine American culture."—Robert G. Lee, Brown University
"Ground breaking" and "historic" are terms often overused and overstated for the works they purport to describe. Both, however, are appropriate for this outstanding volume, which introduces readers to the breadth and depth of Asian American fine artists. This single work will spur enormous growth in the many fields it directly impacts, including American Studies, Art History, Asian American Studies, and American History. Another overused term: "A must read." In this case, understated. —Franklin Odo, Director, Smithsonian Institution Asian Pacific American Program
"To my knowledge, there are few books about Asian American visual art before 1970. Asian American Art: A History, 1850-1970 brings this art into view, letting readers consider it from various perspectives. This valuable collection will surely stimulate discussion and new research and writing. It brings together many of the scholars best qualified to discuss Asian American art history."—Elaine Kim, Professor Asian American Studies, University of California, Berkeley
"In an organized and heartfelt way, it recognizes art that once 'commanded little respect from any quarter of mainstream American,' as more than simply 'Oriental.'" —Nichi Bei Times