Origins: The Birth and Rise of Chinese American Communities in Los Angeles, a permanent, cutting edge exhibition celebrating the growth and development of Chinese American enclaves from Downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley.

This exhibit narrates Chinese immigration to the United States with an emphasis on community settlement in Los Angeles. The display is outlined into four distinct time periods. Each period is defined by an important immigration law and event, accompanied by a brief description and a short personal story about a local Chinese American and their experiences in that particular historical period.

This exhibition is a recreation of an actual store that was housed in the Garnier Building in the 1890’s. The Sun Wing Wo store opened in 1891 and remained in this building until 1948. The store was a multi-purpose space that showed how self-sufficient the Chinese were and had to be due to racism and discrimination, while also being responsive to the needs of their community. Even though the store predominantly served the Chinese, there were European, Japanese, and Mexican Americans who also came to purchase Chinese merchandise.

On one side of the gallery, people can find merchandise sold at the general store such as food, clothing, furniture, firecrackers, and dishes; they can also find western products that were popular at the time such as cigars and perfumed soaps. The store also provided banking, postal, and letter writing services for the community.

On the other side of the gallery, the Museum recreated the herb shop where Chinese could practice their traditional form of healthcare – Chinese Medicine. There were acupuncture services and prescriptions of herbal remedies provided.

The Chinese American Museum welcomes the Year of the Metal Ox with an online exhibition featuring fourteen (14) Asian American artists throughout the nation.  

Visit the Exhibition by Clicking Here 

Each artwork honors the metal ox, an animal symbolically known for strength and resilience. As we transition into a new year, the artists chose a playful, at times whimsical, but strong approach to the ox. Their expressions, contrasting the darkness with light, provide hope for new beginnings. 

This exhibition runs from March 6 – June 6, 2021

Featured Artists
Annie Wong
Crys Yin 
Decue Wu 
Dianna Xu 
Janice Chang
Kevin Chan
Kris Mukai
Maggie Chiang 
Mark Wang
Michael C. Hsiung
Nellie Le 
Rose Wong 
Sean Chao
Taili Wu 

Guest Curator: Albert Chau (Grumpy Bert) 

This exhibition is organized by the Chinese American Museum in partnership with Albert Chau (Grumpy Bert). Major support for this exhibition is provided by the Friends of the Chinese American Museum, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.