AsianLens presents: "August 2002 Photo Exhibit," an exhibition of photographs by twelve emerging and established Asian American artists to be held at Chelsea's Chambers Fine Art. It is the first exhibit in New York City history that is solely devoted to contemporary Asian American photographers.

The August 2002 Photo Exhibit was organized in response to the need to show the work of Asian American photographers. Asian American photographers' work is distinct from that of Asian artists living in Asia, whose current works with high shock value have been largely attributed to the explosive venting of years of suppression. First-, second-, third-generation Asian American photographers are touched by a different set of issues and concerns that explore multiculturism, immigration, displacement, identity, and ethnic self-consciousness.

The exhibition emphasizes the similarities and differences among artists from vastly different backgrounds who are nonetheless collectively identified as Asian American. Artists included are: Andrew Bui, Walter Q. Chin, Nancy Choe, Iwao Hosoda, Min Jung Kwak, Corky Lee, Winnie Lee, Hidemi Sato, Benjamin Sloat & Steven Aishman collaboration, Noelle Tan, and Rosey Truong.

The show is jurored by Hitomi Iwasaki, Associate Curator at Queens Museum of Art, who reviewed over 500 pieces from over 40 Asian American photographers from across the U.S. While the artists range in genres, techniques and experience, these artists are connected through a visual language of photography. Works span from traditional to digital processes, black and white to color, abstract to realism. The exhibit embodies the diversity of experiences found in the Asian American community that is expressed through each individual artist's imagery.

Among the twelve artists in the exhibit (including a collaboration duo), highlights include images by photojournalist, Corky Lee, who is known for documenting the day-to-day life of Asian Americans for over 25 years. His work in this exhibit is part of his "9/11 Series."

Other highlights include starkly dark, nocturnal landscapes by Noelle Tan which are contrasted to Hidemi Sato's bright, colorful photos of New York City. Andrew Bui's work addresses sexual repression and transgender issues, while Benjamin Sloat & Steven Aishman's work addresses the growing "1/2 Asian," mixed race population.

What is important to the show is that these very different works were created in the same Asian American community and are being exhibited side-by-side. Such juxtapositions are what give "AsianLens August 2002 Photo Exhibit" its energy. Whatever the content of the individual artists' works, together they suggest that the Asian American community is a dynamic and contrasting one filled with synergy and tension, unity and clashes.