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Art & Exhibits

San Francisco Human Rights Commission launches art campaign to promote African and Asian Americans’ solidarity

Portia Li / 李秀蘭
Portia Li / 李秀蘭
December 28, 2022
San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner Irene Yee Reily (third from left) and Chinese community leaders announce the art campaign and competition to promote African and Asian communities’ solidarity. Photo by Portia Li
San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner Irene Yee Reily (third from left) and Chinese community leaders announce the art campaign and competition to promote African and Asian communities’ solidarity. Photo by Portia Li

(SAN FRANCISCO) An artwork competition was launched by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission to promote the solidarity between the African and Asian communities.

Changing the Narratives Art Campaign was co-sponsored by the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and Stand Together SF. Human Rights Commissioner Irene Yee Riley joined the Chinese community leaders in a press conference held at the Geen Mun Senior Center in Chinatown to encourage members of the community to submit their artwork for the art campaign.

Since the COVID pandemic in 2020, the anti-Asian hate and violent incidents have dramatically increased and still occurred in San Francisco. "Every time when I hear of the incidents, I am very worried and anxious," said Riley.

"The goal of this campaign is to highlight artwork designed to promote positive imagery of our Asian and Black elders, and to tell the story, through pictures and video, of the positive narrative of solidarity amongst San Francisco' s Black and Asian communities," said Riley.

San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner kicks off the art campaign to promote the relationship between African and Asian communities. Courtesy SF Human Rights Commission
San Francisco Human Rights Commissioner kicks off the art campaign to promote the relationship between African and Asian communities. Courtesy SF Human Rights Commission

Anni Chung, CEO of Self Help for the Elderly, encouraged seniors and all ages of the community members to submit their artwork. "The artwork will be used widely in the city to promote the concept of respecting and loving our seniors," said Chung.

"We have always seen African Americans extending their hands to help our seniors," George Chan, CEO of the Chinese Newcomers Service Center, said those scenarios could be captured in photos, videos, or drawings which would become the great artwork for the art campaign.

The art campaign is in two categories, videos or graphic/still artwork including painting. The deadline for submission is January 15, 2023. The winners will be announced at the Stand Together SF's combined Lunar New Year and Black History Month celebration to be held on February 8, 2023.

First place winner will be awarded with $750. More details of the art campaign can be found at http://standtogethersf.org/artcampaign.