In 2023,

I've Been Exploring Oregon's Chinese American History

in partnership with the Portland Chinatown Museum

This work explores what it means to be seen, not seen,

and existing at the

edge of visibility.

The 7-month Artist Residency at Portland Chinatown Museum is an exploration of immigrants from the Pearl Delta River (modern-day Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao Bay Area) and their brave journey to the West.

These immigrants took great risks to travel into the unknown to create new homes and communities while living between two cultures and often working jobs on the edges of society. This work explores what it means to be seen, not seen, and existing at the edge of visibility.

Continuing my Descendant series, which focuses on creating characters from the past/future using found materials and my cultural heritage as inspiration, this series addresses the Asian immigrants and workers erased from early American history who quietly shaped and built the foundation of Oregon.

Focusing on laborers, porters, merchants, and prostitutes, this work rewrites the lost and invisible historical narrative and reintroduces them as visible Pioneers, Innovators, Explorers, Protectors, Guardians, and Healers.

Investigating invisibility

through Artificial Intelligence

This work investigates Artificial Intelligence’s interpretation of early Chinese immigrant life and labor in Oregon. It explores the use of AI to recreate the undocumented and erased history, questions the stereotypes of AI in representing minorities, and considers the use of AI as a creative tool.

All images and copy are created entirely by Artificial Intelligence

joshsin@gmail.com

© 2022 Joshua Sin

All Rights Reserved