SHARED LINES

Thank you to Chinese American Museum of Chicago for hosting Shared Lines. It was such an honor to be able to exhibit at your museum.

My next stop on this journey is Albuquerque, where I’ll participate in the launch of the CABQ Arts & Culture International District Park Public Artwork project. This project was inspired by my drawing of a potential neon sign to help amplify the district. It is in partnership with One Albuquerque, The Orphan Sign Project, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town Grant.

The new neon sign will be designed by a local artist and placed right outside the public library in the International District of Albuquerque. It’s kismet, because the goal of my work has always been to create community, and I’ve always loved the power of books, having worked in publishing as an art director and freelance illustrator.

Route 66 originated in Chicago at the foot of Lake Michigan and stretches to the shores of the Pacific Oceans in Los Angeles. It touches 8 states, wraps around rock formations made from layers of sandstone, shale, and limestones. It climbs to 7,000 feet above sea level to snow caped mountains. It twists, turns and winds its ways through bone dry deserts. It’s made of miles of open roads illuminated only by the stars; it connects neon signs in small towns to the lights in big cities.

Route 66 is a microcosm of American, it's often referred to as “The Mother Road” or “Main Street USA”. Many Asians and Pacific islanders have called this stretch of road home. The size of the towns they settle in may vary but the goal is always the same. They shared the desire for a better life and to find the American Dream.

The goal of the exhibition is to share underrepresented stories and rewrite the narrative of Route 66 that include the A.A.P.I contribution. 

In celebration of the next phase of my Route 66 project, I’ve put all the Route 66 pieces ON SALE for $1,000. 

Thanks,
Sammy