Learn about the diversity of art produced by Americans of Asian descent
This online exhibition highlights the rich contributions of Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) artists to the history of creative production in the United States. The exhibition content was created by students in the course, Asian American Art (AAH 270), taught by Professor Sheri Lullo, to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month in the spring of 2025.
The twenty-six students in this course each selected two artists to write about for this exhibition. Their choices reflect both the long history of AANHPI artists working in the US, and the diversity of perspectives, experiences and artistic aims expressed in their work. Each entry includes biographical notes on the artist, discusses major themes in their work, and provides a brief analysis of one of their pieces. Viewers will encounter familiar names but will also have the opportunity to explore the work of lesser-known individuals, broadening their understanding of AANHPI artists.
Asian American Studies, which emerged from the student strikes associated with the Third World Liberation Front at San Francisco State College in 1968-69, is a vigorously growing field today. However, scholarly and institutional attention to Asian American art and artists has developed more slowly, although it has gained significant momentum in recent decades. This course and exhibition aim to contribute to the recognition and appreciation of these important perspectives and voices, which enrich our shared history and culture in the U.S.