Art Salon Chinatown

Over the past year and a half, I have been engaged in a journey of loss and renewal. While seeking meaning and purpose along this path, I borrowed wisdom and confidence from many chosen brothers and sisters in my personal and professional spheres, especially artists. Their constant presence and generous energy have been my signposts, encouraging me to endure and flower. Some were friends, but others were not—just artists, immersed in utilizing their practices to address the myriad struggles of the lingering pandemic era. Unbeknownst to them, their work or words inspired me through my grief with restorative lessons of self-compassion and self-love.

This exhibition presents a core selection of artists who have shared their healing powers with me. Reflecting on the pain and struggle so many of us have endured since the pandemic began, especially BIPOC communities and the marked rise in anti-API hate incidents, part of this curative process involves embracing possibility and opportunity to chart more viable futures.

Nestled in this historic building, adorned with a dragon mural above the door by my favorite person in the world, the late artist Tyrus Wong, in this alternative space whose use was offered to me as a gift, I present this exhibition to you as an offering of peace, an acknowledgment of our resilience, and a replenishing space for reverie and healing.

This show is dedicated to my late sister Mitzi Monica Mak, my late chosen little sister Chenoa “CC” Cressey, all of my chosen family, and our future, more fully-healed selves. 

I wish to especially thank Richard Liu, all of the participating artists, Harry Ortiz Liflan, and Shervin Shahbazi.

Sonia Mak