From the press release: “The Chinese American Museum (CAM) and El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument are proud to present Dreams Deferred: Artists Respond to Immigration Reform opening this Thursday, Dec. 9 This exhibit will showcase local artists exploring the tensions, repercussions, hopes, and dreams of immigrant communities in the face of new immigration legislation, through a broad spectrum of art including street art, graffiti art, sculpture, painting, and multimedia installations. “Dreams Deferred is a powerful and timely exhibit that captures the complexities of the immigrant experience”, notes Kent Wong Director of the Center for Labor Research and Education at UCLA. “Special focus is on the plight of millions of undocumented immigrant youth and students who are unfortunate victims of a broken system. This art show brings together talented local artists who express their views on immigration in creative and dynamic ways.”

U.S. immigration laws have long reflected a lasting legacy of racial exclusion starting with the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, the first legislation to restrict immigration based on race and ethnicity. This legacy of immigration legislation targeting immigrant communities has since reemerged in the recent decades with California’s Proposition 187, and Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070, as attempts at inhibiting the livelihoods of undocumented immigrants.

Dreams Deferred continues the current national dialogue about immigration, kicked-off by the recent opening of CAM’s Remembering Angel Island, an exhibition commemorating the 100th year anniversary of the opening of the West Coast’s first immigration station. Both exhibitions will serve to shed light on the parallels of past and current immigration policies and reform, and how Los Angeles’ diverse immigrant communities collectively share not only their immigrant histories, but also many of the challenges facing new immigrant communities today.

Opening reception Dec. 9, 2010 6:00pm-8:30pm

Curated by: Tim Jieh and Steve Wong

Artists:
Augustine Kofie
Cache
Eriberto Oriol
Ernesto Yerena
Eyeone
Kristy Lovich
Jesus Barraza, Dignidad Rebelde
Joel Garcia
John Carlos De Luna
LeHumanBeing
Oscar Magallanes
Patrick Martinez
Sand One
Shark Toof
Shepard Fairey
O.G. Slick
Swank
Tempt

Also featuring videos by DreamActivist Tam Tran (1982-2010)

Sponsors:
Chinese American Citizens Alliance | Grand Lodge
Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles
Friends of the Chinese American Museum

Co-Sponsors:
Asian Pacific American Legal Center
Mid-City Arts
Self Help Graphics
The UCLA Labor Center

Community Partners:
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles
Dream Team LA
IDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success) at UCLA
JACL Pacific Southwest District
Southeast Asian Community Alliance
UCLA Asian American Studies Center
Visual Communications

Chinese American Museum
425 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Museum Hours: 10am-3pm, Tuesday – Sunday
For more information (213) 485.8567 / www.camla.org