Chinatown’s Art and Activism—Then and Now

In this conversation between artists Tomie Arai and Mei Lum, learn about the relationship between art and activism in Manhattan's Chinatown.

In this conversation between artists Tomie Arai and Mei Lum, learn about the relationship between art and activism in Manhattan's Chinatown. Here, the artists discuss key themes of resistance and resilience, anti-gentrification, and the community's cohesion during the current wave of anti-Asian racism and violence.

Featuring:
Tomie Arai, artist, and cofounder, Chinatown Art Brigade
Mei Lum, Civic Practice Partnership Artist in Residence, The Met, and cofounder, W.O.W. Project

The Civic Practice Project is made possible by The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. Captioning is made possible by the Ruth Lapham Lloyd Trust.

© 2021 The Metropolitan Museum of Art


Contributors

Mei Lum
Artist
Tomie Arai
Artist

A close-up detail of a painted face rendered in muted green, blue, and gray tones.
"In this portrait of her contemporary, Helene Schjerfbeck has revealed a moment of truth, repelled and secreted away."
Leena Krohn
December 18
Stone temple with decorated columns in a rocky desert landscape.
Explore the history of the Temple of Dendur and the Arts of Oceania in immersive virtual reality.
Brett Renfer
November 12
More in:InspirationIdentityAsian American and Pacific Islander Heritage