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.

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.

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

 

 

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

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

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

January 16 – February 24, 2018
Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery
 
Artist Reception: Thursday, February 22, 1 p.m.
A300 Lobby

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)

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 La Palmita, by H. Perlera (acrylic on canvas)

 

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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

 

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.

 

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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

 

 

Now through February 3, 2017

Featuring: Works from BHCC Students

Artist's Reception

Thursday, January 26, 6-8 p.m.

A300 Art Gallery

 

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 VISUAL + MEDIA ARTS DEPARTMENT STUDENT EXHIBIT

Featuring: Works from BHCC Students

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

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
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

The Greenhouse at Russell's Garden Center
Photographs by Mark Diamond

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On view August 24 - October 15
The Mary L. Fifield Art Gallery at BHCC

Exhibit Runs:
April 28 - June 08, 2015

Exhibit Runs:
February 17, 2015 - extended through April 3, 2015

Exhibit Runs:
December 11, 2014 - January 5, 2015

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 

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

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 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 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.

 

The Other “F” Word
The Future of Feminism Today

Exhibit Runs:
March 7 - April 5, 2013, 2013

Artists’ Reception:
Thursday, March 14, 6-8:00 p.m.
Featuring Live Music with Yani Batteau and Boston Women’s Organizations Mini Information Fair

 

BLACK MALE’D
African American Male Identity in Art

Exhibit Runs:
February 4 - 28, 2013

Artists’ Closing Reception:
Thursday, February 28, 6-8:00 p.m.

An Evening of Spoken Word and Poetry:
Hosted by Jean Dany Joachim with open-mic session
February 26, 6:30 p.m.