Google Doodle celebrates artist Ruth Asawa

Acclaimed Japanese American artist was known intricate wire sculptures and works on paper.



As you you may know, May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. To kick off the celebration, Google dedicated its iconic home page Doodle on Wednesday to Ruth Asawa, a Japanese American artist who overcame discrimination during World War II to become a nationally renowned sculptor of wire forms and an arts educator who believed "art will make people better."

More here: May 1, 2019: Celebrating Ruth Asawa

Harry Shum Jr. gave Jon M. Chu a crazy huge 'Crazy Rich Asians' painting

He had to rent a cargo van to haul it.



Harry Shum Jr.'s career in Hollywood has been closely associated with director Jon M. Chu for years, having performed in several of his projects, including most recently in Crazy Rich Asians as Charlie Wu (if only for a few precious seconds). They've developed an enduring personal and professional friendship.

To show his gratitude and celebrate the success of their landmark film, Harry got Jon a very unique not-so-small token of appreciation: a ridiculously huge original portrait, custom-painted by Depicteur, featuring the entire cast of Crazy Rich Asians. It was so big, he apparently had to rent a cargo van to haul it over to Jon's place.

Here's the video of Jon unwrapping his gift:

Google Doodle celebrates Tyrus Wong's 108th birthday

Pioneering Chinese American artist served as lead artist on Walt Disney's 'Bambi.'



Today's Google Doodle honors the life and legacy of Chinese American artist Tyrus Wong on what would have been his 108th birthday. Drawing inspiration from Chinese artists of the Song Dynasty, Wong was responsible for some of the best-known images in American popular culture, applying his unique vision to paintings, prints, and perhaps most famously, the 1942 Walt Disney animated film Bambi.

Here's the gorgeous tribute that plays when you click on the kite:

"It's getting harder to keep my head down."

A comic on citizenship by Jin Fang.



Jin Fang is officially an American. The Austin-based artist and illustrator, who was born in Hong Kong, became a U.S. citizen on Thursday -- the first American in her family. Although she's grown up and lived in the United States for most of her life, she only recently went through the tedious, painstaking process of naturalization.

On Twitter, posted a comic sharing with her thoughts on becoming a citizen, the political factors that both worried and inspired her decision, and what pushed her to finally find her voice and take action.

"I'd be lying if I said worry or fear didn't factor into my (and my family's) decision to naturalize," Jin tweeted. "We notice xenophobic and anti-immigrant sentiment rising, we see the consequences of this administration's actions on the most vulnerable communities."

She also embraces her privilege and duty to vote -- and encourages others not to take this responsibility lightly.

"Even if your politics don't align with mine, please go vote. As someone who's had to jump through hoops to get this right, it's frustrating to see voter turnout rates (especially in Texas, wtf!)"

Check it out:

T-shirt re-imagines Constance Wu as Rosie the Riveter

Artist Jerry Ma puts an Asian American spin on the iconic "We Can Do It!" image.



By popular demand! This fun t-shirt design puts an Asian American spin on the iconic "We Can Do It" image, with the likeness of Fresh Off The Boat star Constance Wu stepping in for Rosie the Riveter. Created by our friend, artist/illustrator Jerry Ma of Epic Proportions, the shirt will be available in a limited run.

When art from internment camps falls into the right hands

"Contested Histories: Art and Artifacts from the Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection" goes on view.



From the Los Angeles Times: A collection of artworks and other artifacts from Japanese American internment camps made headlines in spring 2015 when protesters successfully steered these pieces of American history away from the auction block, where they could have fallen into private hands. The protesters' goal: Put the pieces on public exhibition instead.

Mission accomplished. On Sunday, every item in the collection (or digital representations of them) will go on view at the Japanese American National Museum’s Hirasaki National Resource Center in Los Angeles. Titled "Contested Histories: Art and Artifacts from the Allen Hendershott Eaton Collection," the exhibition includes more than 450 paintings, photographs, sculptures, pieces of jewelry and other objects made by hand in camps where about 120,000 people of Japanese descent were incarcerated during World War II.

More here: Contested art and artifacts from Japanese American internment camps go on view

Most Badass Art Show Ever Pays Tribute to Bruce Lee

"Bruce Lee: Spirit of the Dragon," November 3-25 at Sketchpad Gallery


Bruce fans in San Francisco, here's something you'll want to check out. Sketchpad Gallery and the Bruce Lee Foundation present Bruce Lee: Spirit of the Dragon, a group art exhibition and charity show dedicated to Bruce Lee and his teachings. It runs November 3-25, with an opening reception on Friday, November 3.

"Spirit of the Dragon" features both local and international artists, who have done work for such companies as Lucasfilm, Pixar, Lucasfilm Animation, Industrial Light and Magic, Marvel Comics, DC, IDW, Sony and more.

Featured artists include: Kim Jung Gi, Kim Hyun Jin, Nathan Anderson, Bagger43, John-Paul Balmet, Arvin Bautista, Jamie Borja, Dawn Carlos, Cryssy Cheung, Isaac Davis, Thomas Denmark, Jackson Dryden, Duke Duel, Emonic, Nikki Lukas Longfish, Dela Longfish, Steward Lee, Ben Jelter, Kevin Kwong, Frank T Lin, Brian Kistler, Robotnicc, Dean Stuart, Lloyd Thompson, Dave Yee, Carolina Zeleski, Jeeyoon Park, Le Tang, Chris Koehler, Gary Choo, Alina Chau, and Sinic Choy, to be joined by additional artists.

Here's some sample work from "Spirit of the Dragon":

Chinatown Art Brigade protests racist exhibition

"Chinatown lives are not poverty porn!"



On Sunday afternoon in New York, dozens of protesters from the Chinatown Art Brigade and other local art and anti-gentrification activist groups converged in the front room of James Cohan Gallery's Chinatown location, demanding that the gallery take down what the group is calling "racist art."

Their target: Omer Fast's new exhibition, August, which has transformed the space to appear like a poorly maintained Chinatown business. Visitors walk through the space to see the artist's video work in the backroom.

In a letter sent to the gallery last week, CAB called the exhibition a "racist aggression towards the community of Chinatown," and added "this show reifies racist narratives of uncleanliness, otherness and blight that have historically been projected onto Chinatown."

More here: Chinatown Art Brigade Protests Omer Fast's "Racist" Exhibition at James Cohan Gallery

When DC's Asian Superheroes Got Together for Dim Sum

Artist Bernard Chang celebrates #asianheroesmonth on his variant cover for 'New Super-Man' #11.



It's May, so it's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month... but it's also #asianheroesmonth!

To celebrate, artist Bernard Chang created this awesome variant cover for New Super-Man #11 depicting Kenan Kong, aka the Chinese Superman, going out to dim sum with some of his fellow Asian superheroes of the DC Universe (at a restaurant where the poor wait staff is apparently possessed by Starro the Conqueror).

Today's Google Doodle honors Fred Korematsu Day

"If you have the feeling that something is wrong, don't be afraid to speak up."



Happy Fred Korematsu Day! On this day, January 30, we celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights icon Fred Toyosaburo Korematsu. And at long last, Google has honored Mr. Korematsu's birthday -- officially designated "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution" -- with a hallowed homepage Doodle. All things considered, the timing could not be more appropriate.

After Franklin D. Roosvelt signed Executive Order 9066 in 1942, more than 100,000 people of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from the west coast and relocated to internment camps throughout the United States. Fred Korematsu, however, did not go quietly. He was arrested and convicted for resisting incarceration. He appealed and took his case all the way to the Supreme Court in Korematsu v. United States, but lost.

But in 1983, the U.S. District Court in San Francisco formally vacated Korematsu's conviction after evidence came to light that disputed the necessity of the internment. At the time, he told Judge Marilyn Patel that instead of a legal pardon, he wanted to be assured the U.S. government would never again take such an action.

"If anyone should do any pardoning," Korematsu said, "I should be the one pardoning the government for what they did to the Japanese American people."

See early versions of Chirrut and Baze from 'Rogue One'

'The Art of Rogue One' reveals concept art that shaped these fan-favorite Star Wars characters.



Chirrut Imwe and Baze Malbus have quickly emerged as fan favorite characters from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. But the movie's early concept art, featured in the official book The Art of Rogue One, reveal that it took quite a bit of work to settle upon the right looks that were eventually realized for Rebellion's Force-friendly blind monk and his battle-weary compatriot, played by Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen, respectively.

Both Chirrut and Baze went through 25-35 different looks from the characters' early conception to the final versions that were eventually committed to the screen. Initially, according to comicbook.com, Chirrut was entirely covered except for his eyes, and Baze may have been a four-armed alien. Chirrut had a more militaristic vibe before the character's look morphed into a sleeker, martial arts-inspired monk's garment.

Pioneering artist Tyrus Wong dies at 106

His paintings served as the visual inspiration for Disney's 'Bambi.'



Tyrus Wong, the pioneering Chinese American artist who paintings served as visual inspiration for Disney's animated classic Bambi and other Hollywood works, died on Friday. He was 106.

Tyrus Wong, Pioneer 'Bambi' Artist, Dies at 106

Wong was a painter, muralist, ceramicist, lithographer, designer and kite maker. His professional career included working as a greeting card designer for Hallmark, a film production illustrator for Warner Brothers, and an inspirational sketch artist for Disney, where he most famously served as the lead artist for Bambi.

Wong's death was announced on the Facebook page for Tyrus, the 2015 documentary on his life and career.

"With his passing, we have lost a brilliant artist, motion picture & animation legend, Chinese American pioneer, and hero," the post read. "He survived Angel Island, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Great Depression, discrimination, and the loss of Ruth, his soul mate and beloved wife of over 50 years. Yet Tyrus always faced adversity with dignity, courage -- and art."

Native Hawaiian culture meets street art in 'Mele Murals'

Help fund the latest documentary from Tad Nakamura.



Here's a great film project that would use your support... There are just a few hours left to pitch in to Mele Murals, the latest documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Tad Nakamura. Mele Murals is a story that navigates the complexities of Native Hawaiian cultural identity through urban street art.

Set against the resurgence of Hawaiian language and culture of the past twenty years, Mele Murals follows two former illegal graffiti writers turned community artists -- Estria Miyashiro (aka Estria) and John Hina (aka Prime) -- and their quest to connect people and place through mural making. The film shows how public art rooted in underground graffiti unexpectedly but powerfully fuses with Native Hawaiian traditions and contemporary life to impact local youth, the rural community of Waimea, and most of all the artists.

Here's the trailer:

Bruce Lee, lightsaber nunchucks and a galaxy far, far away...

Artist imagines the legendary martial artist as a Jedi warrior.



This incredible Star Wars-themed Bruce Lee art (or is it Bruce Lee-themed Star Wars art by Deviant Art artist Ameen Naksewee) imagines the legendary martial artist as a lightsaber nunchuck-wielding Jedi in a galaxy far, far away. LIGHTSABER NUNCHUCKS. To be honest, it sounds like an extremely impractical and hilariously dangerous weapon to wield. But if anyone could do it, it's Bruce:

Kamala Khan vs. The Donald!

Immensely satisfying art print features Ms. Marvel punching out the evil, nefarious Donald Trump.



A true hero for our times. This rad art print by Hip Hop Mummy features popular Pakistani American teen superhero Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, punching out the evil, nefarious Donald Trump. Pow!

(Do note, it features a disclaimer: THIS BIGOT-BUSTING DRAWING HAS NO AFFILIATION WITH MARVEL COMICS AND DOES NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE ORIGINAL CREATORS!)

Woman stabbed at Miami Beach art exhibition

24-year-old Siyuan Zhao stabbed another gallery visitor in the neck with an X-Acto knife.



In Miami, 24-year-old college student is facing attempted murder charges after stabbing another woman in the neck with an X-Acto knife during an altercation last week at a contemporary art gallery festival. Adding to the chaos, exhibit patrons apparently mistook the bloody scene for performance art.

Fight leads to woman stabbed at Art Basel Miami Beach

On Friday evening, Siyuan Zhao was arrested at Art Basel Miami Beach for stabbing another woman in the neck and shoulder several times. The altercation reportedly started when the victim, 33-year-old Seo Young Shin, confronted Zhao, accusing her of following and repeatedly bumping into her at the festival.

According to police, Zhao responded by pulling out an X-Acto knife and attacking Shin.

A Comics Artist Shamelessly Plugs Some of Her Amazingly Talented Asian American Friends and Colleagues

Guest Post by Wendy Xu



I'm on vacation! This week, I'm taking a much-needed break to recharge the batteries and get a change of scenery. To keep things going around here, I've enlisted the help of several friends of the blog to submit guest posts on various topics of their choosing. Here's one from comics artist Wendy Xu.

Wendy here. I'm a comics artist. I'm currently working on a webcomic (more on that later), and my recent projects include pencils in a comic displayed as part of the New York Historical Society's Chinese in America exhibit, as well as had a short comic in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology. I've also printed and sold my short witch comics at indie cons like MOCCA and SPX.

I was drawing one night when I got an email from Phil inviting me to write a guest post for Angry Asian Man. Since comics and graphic novels dominate my entire life, from my day job to what I do off-hours, this is -- you guessed it -- about comics. Mostly, I wanted to use the opportunity to showcase and shamelessly plug some of my amazingly talented Asian American friends and colleagues, all of them up-and-comers in the comics industry who undoubtedly have long and illustrious careers ahead of them.

I once heard Marvel talent Alitha Martinez say at a panel, "To be in this industry, you have to be good. You have to be very, very good, because at least hundreds of other people want to be doing what you're doing." Outside of the Big Two of Marvel and DC, there are many other artists in the independent comics world creating, publishing and selling their own stories -- and they are all, indeed, very, very good. Editors and new readers, pay attention!

Featured in this interview are: Trung Nguyen, Shivana Sookdeo, Alice Meichi Li and Arielle Jovellanos.

Giant Robot Biennale 4

October 11, 2015 - January 24, 2016 at the Japanese American National Museum



Hey, Los Angeles! The Japanese American National Museum invites you to Giant Robot Biennale 4, its fourth exhibition in collaboration with Giant Robot founder Eric Nakamura. This edition of the popular series will examine the evolution of the Giant Robot aesthetic from its humble origins in drawing to its many celebrated manifestations in painting, installation, muralism and photography.

Biennale 4 will kick off with a free opening celebration this Saturday, October 10, featuring live and deejay music, food, and a no-host bar. The exhibition will run through January 24, 2016.

Here's a list of the participating artists:

12-year-old boy trips and punches $1.5 million museum painting

Paolo Porpora's "Roses" now prominently features a fist-sized hole.



Do you feel anxiety when you're in the vicinity of rare and priceless museum artifacts? You will, after seeing this video. It's like a field trip chaperone's worst nightmare come true. Over the weekend in Taiwan, a young museum-goer accidentally tripped, fell and punched a hole into a $1.5 million oil painting.

12-Year-Old Kid Trips, Punches Fist-Sized Hole in a Million-Dollar Painting

On Sunday, while attending "The Face of Leonardo, Images of a Genius" exhibition at at Huashan 1914 Creative Park in Taipei, a 12-year-old boy stumbled on a rope barrier, lost his balance, extended his arms and made contact with an extremely valuable 17th century painting. And by contact, I mean he punched a hole in it. Paolo Porpora's "Roses" now prominently features a fist-sized hole.

The incident was caught on surveillance video:

Dragons in Oakland Chinatown!

Dragon School is a neighborhood youth project to paint 99 golden dragons in Oakland's Chinatown.



Have you heard about the dragons in Oakland? I recently about an awesome community project happening in Oakland Chinatown called Dragon School. Founded by artist Luqman Lin, the project empowers local youth to reclaim their own neighborhood by teaching kids to beautify the walls with 99 golden dragons.

Luqman, who has been doing street art in Oakland and elsewhere for years, came up with the idea to paint 99 dragons in Chinatown to reclaim the community and walls. So he teaches young people how to paint dragons, offering templates and instructional YouTube videos. Like this one: