Previous Exhibit
WEN-TI TSEN - HOMETOWN
The Chinese first came to Boston in late 19th century when Chinese laborers migrated east, away from racial persecution in the West after the completion of the transcontinental railroads. The people settled in a residual area in the city when many of the better offs were moving to the outskirts. For decades, due to racial discrimination, the Chinese were restricted in their livelihoods mostly only to running laundries and restaurants. To avoid competition with each other, the shops often had to be located in distant and isolated towns all over New England. For them, Boston’s Chinatown served, once every few months, as a refuge and a connection to “home”. It became, through most of the 20th century, the economic and social fulcrum for the Chinese of the region, and, later, as other immigrants arrived, for most Asians.
In the late 1960s the major threats to the community started when the City claimed blocks for highway construction. In the 1980s, in the name of urban renewal, the City zoned large residential areas for demolition to be replaced by commercial and institutional developments. The community fought back, and arrested some of the plans and diverted the land to the construction of mixed-rent housing for long-time residents.
In recent times, a new threat arises as a new professional class, desiring to live closer to work and play, started moving back into the city.Both property values and rents increased sharply, with the consequent heavy pressure on disposing neighborhood housing in favor of high-cost, high-rise luxury coop buildings. This poses further danger for Chinatown to be able to stay as a viable place for long-time residents and businesses, and continue as the locus of the area’s Asian population.
This project is to emphasize to the community and the public at large the importance of maintaining a home for the Asian Americans in the Northeast. The portraits of the 12 figures and groups were selected from the archives of Chinese Historical Society of New England (CHSNE). They show the continuing presence of people in Chinatown during the past 125 years.
This project became available with assistance provided by Jasmine Lee, (Captions) Prof. Wing-Kai To, Bridgewater State University A New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) Creative City Project and in partnership with CHSNE.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Wen-ti Tsen is a painter and public artist. He was born in China, grew up in Europe, before coming to the U.S. to study painting at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Since the mid-1970s, after living and traveling for several years in different countries, he has been engaged in making art that explores cultural connections: with personal paintings and installations, large-scale public art sculptures and working with communities to express social issues in various art forms.
HOMETOWN
Re-presenting Boston Chinatown as a Place of People was setup as an art project in the streets and public spaces of Boston Chinatown to draw attention to the gentrification and other developments of the last 40 years that continually threaten the historical nature of Chinatown.
The second part of this project was in collecting sets of photo portraits of current people “residents, workers and visitors” posing in front of a backdrop of Harrison Avenue, Chinatown as reproduced from an actual printed postcard of the same location, circa 1910s postcard.
John Munson: Morocco - Returning to the Motherland
Photographer John Munson takes us on a journey with his deeply moving images. In this series of photographs, generations of history, figures of people known and unknown and remembrances of landscapes and city streets converge in a cultural intersection that is both personal and universal. Through the lens of his camera, he sheds light on accurate details of daily life in Moroccan society. His photographs portray the memories of the child he once was, living with his family. They are also illustrative of a father returning with his own “Americanized” children after nearly thirty years to the native land and rich culture of his heritage.
John Munson’s sense of art is shaped by his experience of being the son of a Moroccan mother and an American father. He seems to perceive in many dimensions at the same time—past and present; history and current moment; lived experience and expectant dream. What does he see and what does he show us? Physical space and real place are not only part of his individual memory, but rather illustrate for the viewer a pattern of representations associated with “being” and “identity.” In other words, the photographs in this exhibit show us, in the most valuable and relevant way, what it means to be alive and complex--to be human.
Munson presents us with an essentially philosophical point of view. In a world of intertwining identities and cultures, “place” is subject to our own negotiated perception. As philosopher Merleau-Ponty suggests, “Because we are in the world, we are condemned to meaning.” Perhaps the greatest function of art is to create new meaning in the world; to re-invent the past in and through the present moment. Hence, the artist is always the one who accentuates the shadows and the margins, showing us the delicateness and essential triumph of the act of remembering. Artists, such as Munson, help us to understand our relationship with the periphery, asking us to reflect on our own reality, and, eventually, to embrace a better understanding of ourselves.
One Artist’s Journey– Reclaiming the Lost Tradition of Cambodian Ceramics
These richly ornamented and masterful works are by one of only a few traditional ceramicists to survive the Khmer Rouge. His personal story is one of overcoming hardship and keeping art, community and culture alive. His commitment to uphold history, revitalize ancient traditions and boldly explore contemporary forms makes this artist a living treasure.
October 22, 2018, through June 30, 2019
Events
Community Reception
Meet the artist in person, learn about his personal journey and art making process. Brunch featuring Cambodian cuisine, traditional music and conversation.
Sunday, April 7 2019, 1-3 p.m. | Library and Learning Commons
Call of the Ancestors
Fine Art Quilts by Susan Thompson
These deeply human and richly textured fiber art quilts by Boston based textile and multi-media artist and educator Susan Thompson celebrate deep connections between family, community, spirituality, history and other shared cultural experience.
February 4 through April 30, 2019
Events
Art Brunch
Meet the artist in person, share music, refreshments and conversation with members of the BHCC community.
February 17, 2019, 1 p.m. | Library and Learning Commons
Artist Talk: — “How I Became an Artist”
Join the artist for an intimate evening of reflection and dialogue about her influences and art making process that connects generations and cultures.
March 26, 2019, 6 p.m. | Library and Learning Commons
Textile Art and Quilt Making Workshop
Interactive studio instruction on how to use fabric to create personal art pieces that incorporate history and community in the design process.
April 13, 2019, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Visual Media Arts Studio, E 148
disPLACED
disPLACED
Boston-area artists share work that reflects their personal experiences navigating crises, resilience and reconciliation.
With Sonia Andujar, Oldren Angel, Janet Cormier, Deta Galloway, David Goldman, Alberto Lozano,
Ed Pontes, Hakim Raquib and Roger Sheppard
Guest Curator Gloria Carrigg
March 5 – May 11, 2018
Events
The Directional Light—An Evening of Poetry and Music from the Natural World
Join artist and performer Deta Galloway as she shares in spoken word and song the inspiration behind her art making and her deeply personal concept of ‘automatic spaces.’
April 12, 2018,6–8 p.m. | Mary L. Fifield Gallery and A300 Lounge
A Process in the Making—An Evening with Ed Pontes
Meet the artist in person and learn about his background and various methods used to examine and make art over time, including current works on display.
April 24, 2018, 6–8 p.m. | Mary L. Fifield Gallery and A300 Lounge
Community Reception disPLACED
Connect with the artists as they share their works and the stories behind their making. With remarks by guest curator Gloria Carrigg and featuring music by members of the BHCC Popular Music Ensemble.
Thursday, May 3, 2018, 6–8 p.m. | Mary L. Fifield Gallery and A300 Lounge
Janet Cormier–Artist, Activist and Poet
The Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery at Bunker Hill Community College presents
Janet Cormier–Artist, Activist and Poet
Deeply human and richly textured paintings that celebrate both personal identity and shared cultural experience.
February 1-28, 2018
Library and Learning Commons | Charlestown Campus
Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m
An Evening with Janet Cormier
February 28, 2018
6 p.m. | Charlestown Campus, A300 Lobby
One night only. Meet the artist. See a special pop-up art show of additional paintings and connect with her process of making deeply personal works of art that reflect the complexity of our current world.
With remarks by Associate Professor Henry Allen Jr. and Adjunct Professor Brandy Brooks
2018 Annual BHCC Visual & Media Arts Department Student Exhibit
2018 Annual BHCC Visual & Media Arts Department Student Exhibit
January 16 – February 24, 2018
Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery
Artist Reception: Thursday, February 22, 1 p.m.
A300 Lobby
inVisible
inVisible
The Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery at Bunker Hill Community College presents
Boston-area Latinx artists share their art and define what it means to live in America.
Also featuring Treasures from the Homeland—fine art photographs of El Salvador by Gloria Carrigg, Thomas A Kershaw Culinary Arts Dining Room
and
One of My Many Faces—a companion display of vibrant carnival masks from the Dominican Republic crafted by artist and educator Ana Meja, BHCC Library and Learning Commons
Exhibits by guest curator Gloria Carrigg
October 30 – December 22, 2017
Toro, by F. Garcia (mixed media)
Silhouette, by J. Guzman (oil on canvas)
The Mask, by A. Lozano (oil on canvas)
La Palmita, by H. Perlera (acrylic on canvas)
BHCC Visual + Media Arts Department SENIOR SHOW
Join graduating senior students from the Bunker Hill Community College Visual + Media Arts Department as they embark on the next phase of their art educations and careers at the reception showcasing their talents and art in this student group-curated exhibit.
May 10 - June 16, 2017
Artists’ Reception: Wednesday, May 10, 2017, 4-7 p.m. Art Gallery/ A300 Lounge
Mother Tongue Pan-Asian Boston-Area Women Artists
In honor of Women’s History Month, the Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery at Bunker Hill Community College presents:
MOTHER TONGUE
Pan-Asian Boston-Area Women Artists
Experience this multi-media group exhibit that explores the complex relationship between personal identity, storytelling and cultural expectation.
Determined Blackness: Race Representation and Refining Black Male Identity
February 6 through the 28, 2017
Hakim Raquib
Determined Blackness: Race, Representation and Redefining Black Male Identity
Artist's Reception
Thursday, February 23, 2017 • 6 - 8 p.m.
A300 Art Gallery/Lounge
Annual BHCC Visual and Media Arts Department Student Exhibition
Now through February 3, 2017
Featuring: Works from BHCC Students
Artist's Reception
Thursday, January 26, 6-8 p.m.
A300 Art Gallery
Gathering: Native American Artists and Arts
Now through December 23, 2016 and from January 3 - 6, 2017
Experience this group exhibition of Massachusetts and Border State Native American Fine Arts and Craft.
Artist's Reception
Thursday, December 1, 6-8 p.m.
A300 Art Gallery
2016 VMA Student Exhibit
2016 VISUAL + MEDIA ARTS DEPARTMENT STUDENT EXHIBIT
Featuring: Works from BHCC Students
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Artists' Reception
Thursday, May 5, 2016 • 6 p.m.
Exhibit Runs:
May 2 - June 3, 2016
The Mary L. Fifield Gallery at BHCC
CUBA: DIVERSIDAD: A Photographic Journey
CUBA: DIVERSIDAD
A Photographic Journey
Featuring: Gloretta Baynes, Lou Jones and Don West
With guest photographers: Jonathan Hansen, Linda Hirsch, John Kennard, Arthur Newberg, Barbara Trachtenberg and Peg Tuitt
February 15 - April 4, 2016
The Mary L. Fifield Gallery at BHCC
Artists' Reception
Thursday, February 18, 2016 • 6 p.m.
Gallery Talk
Thursday, March 10, 2016 • 1 p.m.
CUBA : An Evening of Words and Music
Thursday, March 6, 2016 • 6 p.m.
Haymarket The Soul of the City
HAYMARKET
The Soul of the City
Photographs by Justin Goodstein
Photographs by Justin Goodstein
On view November 2 - December 18, 2015
The Mary L. Fifield Gallery at BHCC
Artist Reception
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 6 - 8 p.m. • Art Gallery
Film Screening, Gallery Talk and Book Signing
Thursday, December 3, 2015 • 6 p.m. A300 Auditorium, Art Gallery and Lounge
Limitless World
The Greenhouse at Russell's Garden Center
Photographs by Mark Diamond
On view August 24 - October 15
The Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery at BHCC
Ceramics en-MASSe
Ceramics en-MASSe
A large group exhibition of Massachusetts ceramics programs and independent artisans.
Exhibit Runs:
September 24, 2014 - November 21, 2014
Artists Reception:
Thursday, October 02, 2014, 6-8:00 p.m
blackJAZZ
blackJAZZ
An exhibit by Boston-area African American artists showcasing the imagery of jazz performers.
Exhibit Runs:
February 13 - March 31, 2014
Artists Reception:
Thursday, February 20, 2014, 6-8:00 p.m.
Boston Strong/Boston Proper
Boston Strong/Boston Proper
Celebrating the spirit of place via Boston's landscapes and landmarks in painting, photography, mixed media and more.
Exhibit Runs:
September 30 - December 20, 2013
Artists Reception:
Thursday, October 24, 6-8:00 p.m.
The BHCC Art Gallery Turns 10
The Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery at Bunker Hill Community College Presents
The BHCC Art Gallery Turns 10
A decade of art exhibition posters
Posters created by BHCC Creative Services and Students from the Visual + Media Arts Department
Exhibit Runs:
August 26-September 20, 2013
Closing Reception:
Thursday, September 19, 4-6:00 p.m.
Dessert Social and 10 Year Celebration of the Art Gallery
2013 Annual BHCC Visual + Media Arts Department Student Exhibit
2013 Annual BHCC
Visual + Media Arts Department Student Exhibit and
President’s Artistic Achievement Awards
Exhibit Runs:
April 22 - June 7, 2013
Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony:
Thursday, May 9, 6-8:00 p.m.
