Created by artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya during her civic practice residency with Poster House, in partnership with Welcome to Chinatown, and presented by Pearl River Mart, “We Are Chinatown: A Portrait Of Our Community Rising Through Labor And Love” is an intimate offering that presents a rich and multifaceted portrait of a neighborhood continuously evolving while deeply rooted in its history and cultural heritage. At the heart of the show is a large, dynamic tapestry — a cascading collage of images, memories, poetry, and threads that stretch across the gallery space, symbolizing the interconnectedness of Chinatown’s past, present, and future. Complementing this work are sculptures, each a reflection of the neighborhood’s textures, objects, and symbols. Reminders of the everyday resilience that sustains Chinatown.

This body of work also features a public art campaign of intergenerational portraits, capturing the diverse faces of the community that will appear around the neighborhood. These portraits were created through intimate conversations with residents in their homes, restaurants, and shops, preserving their personal histories and offering a window into the neighborhood’s enduring vitality. The portraits transcend individual likenesses, instead capturing the shared experiences, aspirations, and challenges that define Chinatown as a living, breathing space.

“Amanda’s public work moved me at the darkest times during the pandemic,” says Pearl River Mart President Joanne Kwong. “I was driving around the city for hours, making deliveries for online orders, checking on employees, and donating PPE to hospitals. Seeing her bold and colorful work around the city gave me strength and a jolt of happiness and purpose, and for that I am so thankful. “Now to be able to exhibit her work in our gallery is a privilege and an honor. Amanda is outspoken and daring as an artist. And this show, though a bittersweet reminder of that difficult time, is also joyous and hopeful in its celebration of the resilience of Chinatown.”