Exhibition
April 27 - May 21, 2023

Location
SOMArts Cultural Center - Main Gallery
934 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94103

SOMARTS GALLERY Hours
THURSDAYS, 3:00-7:30PM
Friday, 12:00–7:30 PM
Saturday - Sunday, 12:00–5:00PM

What is power? Who wields it? How can it be owned, contested, and exercised? For Asian women whose embodiment of power has culturally been limited to either Dragon Lady, Lotus Blossom or Tiger Mom, these questions are ever more prevalent. The true definition of power remains elusive and open to inquiry.

Curated by Yeu Q Nguyen, Jade Wave Rising: Portraits of Power celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander woman agency and resilience in a multitude of manifestations. Jade is a rare mineral imbued with different metaphysical and cultural meanings, used since prehistoric times to adorn objects associated with power such as ceremonial daggers, jewelry, and crowns. Using jade as an allusion to more diverse definitions of power, the exhibition pays homage to overlooked AAPI historical figures and establishes new legacies of leadership for a more equitable future for women everywhere.

Co-Presented by the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center as part of the 26th annual United States of Asian America Festival: REIMAGINING HORIZONS.

Questions? Email exhibitions@aawaa.net

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PUBLIC PROGRAMS

All programs (except VIP Preview) are free and open to the public.

VIP Curator Preview

Thursday, April 27, 5-6PM
in-person @ SOMArts

A sneak peak of the show an hour before it opens with a guided tour by curator and artist, Yeu Q Nguyen, along with a preview of her workshop. Invited guests will be among the first to interact with the exhibition’s site-specific main installation.

Invite-Only for Exhibiting Artists, Supporters, Funders and Press.

Opening Reception & USAAF 2023 Kick-off Celebration

THURSDAY, April 27, 6-9PM (PDT)
IN-PERSON @ SOMARTS
ONLINE ON AAWAA’S YOUTUBE Channel

Meet all the artists involved in the exhibition and this year’s United States of Asian America Festival! Plus, interact with the installation by curator and artist, Yeu Q Nguyen, and witness a dance performance by IS/LAND Asian American Performance Collaborative.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The event will host the Pop-up Shop - purchase exhibition merch and collectibles along with prints, jewelry, handmade pieces, and more by some of the artists in the show. Everything $100 or less. Proceeds will benefit the artists and AAWAA's programs and membership

Community Art-Making Workshops with Artist/Curator

Sunday, May 21 @ 12PM
IN-PERSON @ SOMARTS

Join curator and artist, Yeu Q Nguyen, in this community art-making and empowerment workshop to celebrate the opening of Jade Wave Rising. Inspired by the Chinese lucky bracelet, participants will learn how to make square-knot adjustable bracelets personalized with their own words of power using jade stone beads and red cord.

After the workshop, participants are invited to join Q in a private walk-through of the exhibition and activate her site-specific wave installation in the main gallery.

Spots are limited. Registration is required for this event.

Closing Reception - Poetry Readings & Screening of Manilatown Manang

Sunday, May 21, 1-4PM
IN-PERSON @ SOMArts

Join us for literary readings by Shizue Seigel and Rebecca Nie and a screening of Manilatown Manang, a documentary about the life and times of Jeanette Gandiongo Lazam, an original Tenant Defender of the International Hotel during the 1970s and the last evicted tenant to step out of the hotel on August 4, 1977. The screening will be followed by an audience Q&A that includes Jeanette and the film's co-producer Esperanza Catubig and co-producer/editor Jessica Sison.

Light refreshments will be provided. The event will host the last Pop-up Shop - purchase exhibition merch and collectibles along with prints, jewelry, handmade pieces, and more by some of the artists in the show. Everything $100 or less. Proceeds will benefit the artists and AAWAA's programs and membership.