About

Hi, I’m Sammy Yuen—a visual artist and lifelong martial artist. I’ve been fortunate to blend my personal passions and professional work to serve the community, especially during the rise of anti-Asian hate. Drawing from my martial arts background, I developed free self-defense classes to help empower and protect those around me.

As a visual artist, I create drawings that amplify underrepresented stories. My hope is to spark conversations and foster empathy through my art, working toward a future where the need for self-defense classes disappears entirely. Ultimately, I aim to educate, empower, and inspire others through my work.

My journey into art activism began with a drawing of Yu and Me Books. What started as a single building evolved into depictions of neighborhoods, iconic highways, and Chinatowns across the country. To me, Chinatowns represent the starting point of the American Dream for many immigrants. Looking ahead, I hope to expand my work to explore the impact of war on immigration, creating empathy for those forced to flee their homelands.

I think of my artwork as a conversation starter—each piece is meant to invite people to share their own stories. For example, Chatham/Kimlau Square holds special meaning for me as the place where my father began his American Dream.

During World War II, my father was separated from his mother at just six years old. He made his way alone from Canton, China, to Hong Kong. As a young man, he worked on an ocean liner that sailed the world, and when the ship docked in New York City, he stepped off—and never got back on.

I’ve shared some of my personal stories in the descriptions of my work, and I’d love to hear from you. If any of the artwork resonates with your experiences, please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your story.