Have you heard the name Inez Lung Lee? How about Herlinda Wong Chew? These women were important figures in Chinese American history, and yet for decades their stories were lost or fragmented.
In 2025, the Asian American Art & Culture Initiative launched its new exhibit, Root Unveiled: Chinese American History, 1783-1946, to preserve these fading histories. The exhibit tells the enduring story of Chinese immigrants in the US—from building railroads to establishing vibrant communities. June Xu, a Chinese American artist from Houston, is the initiator behind this ambitious project. She kindly took the time to answer our questions about Roots Unveiled and the work that goes into creating such a multidisciplinary exhibit.
Artifacts from Roots Unveiled: Chinese American History, 1783-1946. Image courtesy of AAACI.
In a sentence or two, how would you describe the exhibit Roots Unveiled? What was the inspiration behind it?
My maternal family has a long history of immigrating to the United States. Since I was very little, I learned that my grandmother moved to the U.S. in the 1980s, and her great-grandfather had lived here in the 1880s. So, I’ve always been interested in Chinese diaspora history. During COVID, it was my first time experiencing so much hatred toward Asian Americans. Combined with my personal interest in history, I decided to respond to that phenomenon through art and storytelling.
The exhibit covers a broad period of time (1783-1945) with a wealth of fascinating history. How did the team select which stories to include in the exhibit?
You are correct—the time frame was quite broad. Sylvia XuHua Zhan actually designed the entire structure of the exhibit. She believed this history needed to be divided into four parts: the US–China relationship, the Transcontinental Railroad, the many faces of Chinese Americans, and a micro-history of specific personal stories, which we represented through the story of Joe Lung from Austin. Almost all of the original artworks were inspired by her research, and the artists were deeply moved by her storytelling, including several renowned creators such as British artist Gary Card, Canadian Chinese artist Philip Cheung, Hong Kong artist Li Wei, and Chinese video producer Lok Yiu.
How did the team find the primary source materials and artifacts for the exhibit? Were any items sourced directly from families or private collections?
When we first planned the exhibition, Austin Central Library gave us the opportunity to show in their gallery with one condition—the exhibition had to relate to Austin. That led us to the Austin History Center, where we found eight boxes of materials about Chinese Americans. Among them, Sylvia discovered the Joe Lung family and a biography of Miss Chou (Inez Lung Lee) based on her personal diary.
Sylvia believed Inez’s story was particularly unique, as she was one of the first Chinese Americans to graduate from UT Austin in the 1920s—and she was absolutely right!
Not only were we able to locate the Canterbury House purchased by Joe Lung in 1917 (Alien Land Law was still in effect) and the UNESCO-recognized heritage building Long Hui Lou (it was also built in 1917 in Kaiping, China), but we also found Inez’s personal belongings, including furniture from the First Baptist Church of Austin. Her descendants later donated these items for the exhibition. All of these materials really help us with storytelling by installation, photography, video art, and now we are working on the oral history documentary about this family.
Inez Lung Lee’s furniture. Image courtesy of the AAACI.
How long did it take for the exhibit to come together, from the initial idea to opening day?
I had this idea in the summer of 2023, and it took two full years—until May 2025—to bring it to life. It was literally two years of continuous hard work. And we are still working on some stories.
The exhibit will travel from city to city, with its next stop in Houston, Texas. What sort of unique considerations do you need to make for a traveling exhibit?
The content! Each city requires customization to reflect its local history and character. While the overall structure of the exhibit remains the same, we adapt the research focus and commission new artworks inspired by that city’s unique stories, allowing local audiences to better connect and resonate with the exhibition.
Visitors only see the final product when they see the exhibit. What are some of the most time-consuming or complex "behind-the-scenes" work that visitors may not know about?
It was definitely the research process. When I first stepped into the Austin History Center two years ago and faced eight boxes of raw materials about four families, I immediately realized it was more than I could handle alone. So, I called Sylvia, an expert in Chinese diaspora history and culture. She responded with full commitment and began the research. Because she’s deeply familiar with the historical context and a talented, sensitive artist, she selected stories that could resonate with audiences—whether they are immigrants or families who have lived in America for generations.
In the end, these are human-centered stories that reveal our shared common ground. We have far more in common than in difference.
Looking back across the entire process, what would you say is the most surprising and/or rewarding part of working on Roots Unveiled?
It was reading the heartfelt comments visitors left in our notebook. Many thanked our team for creating this exhibition and shared how much they appreciated learning about a missing piece of history. They told us how deeply the stories touched their hearts. I think this truly shows the power of art and storytelling.
The second surprise came when I discovered that I am actually distantly related to the Lung family. The guardian of Long Hui Lou pulled out a thick family genealogy book and, to my amazement, found my maternal grandfather’s name listed in it. That moment transformed the project from historical research into a personal journey. I suddenly found myself with several new grandmas and an extended family of kinfolk in America.
Image courtesy of the AAACI.
Do you have a favorite artifact or historical figure from the exhibit?
My favorite installation is Inez in Canton, which features Inez Lung Lee’s personal belongings originally donated to the First Baptist Church and later given to us by the church. According to the church administrator and Inez’s biography, these items followed her from China to Austin after her retirement and remained with her until her passing at age 104. They represent her way of life in Canton and her personality—persevering, reserved, and subtle. Later, I also received her dresses and scrapbooks from her family. She was such a tiny woman, but I’m sure she carried tremendous positive energy within that small frame.
Want to learn more about Roots Unveiled? Find helpful information about the exhibit here. And if you're looking for more ways to include Asian American history in your home or classroom, don't forget to check out our kids magazine and podcasts. Our Mission is to share important, well-researched stories that inspire kids to make a positive impact on history themselves.