INVISIBLE

An Exhibit About Immigration, Exploitation And The American Dream

Avenue 50 Studio is pleased to present new works by Los Angeles based artist C. Suriyani that explores themes of identity, displacement and inclusion, and ultimately of Americanism. The exhibit also deals with the duality

between the sterilized shopping centers of a consumer society and the conditions of the garment workers in sweatshops who created the clothes. The radiance and softness of a wedding dress contrasts with the conditions in

which it was created. (invisible) acknowledges the unknown American immigrant struggling for a voice and for the most basic of human rights. This exhibit confounds rage with poetry, and resilience and spirit in the face of oppression and ignorance.

In the installation work entitled "Angel Island", large Chinese rice paper scrolls and life size shadow puppets interpret the immigrant experience of detention on Angel Island. Poetry covered the cold walls of those San Francisco barracks, and poetry is buried half submerged in the silent landscape of rice paper scrolls.

C. Suriyani was born in Java, Indonesia, to a third generation Chinese family. In response to the Chinese massacre of 1969, the family immigrated to the United States. Daughter of a US Air force doctor, Suriyani lived all across the USA returning several times to Indonesia before settling in Southern California. She is active in the Labor Movement and continues to question and create cultural experience through her art.

OPENING RECEPTION:

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2002, 7-11 P.M.

The Avenue 50 Studio, 131 N. Ave 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042

Contact: Kathy Gallegos (323) 258-1435

OPEN DIALOGUE:

ART AND ACTIVISM: SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2002, 7-9 p.m.

Please join us for a lively discussion with artists Magu and C. Suriyani, along with the Garment Workers Center/Sweatshop Watch, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, and other special guests. Reception with Asian

techno pop music to follow.

Sponsored by:

Organization of Chinese Americans -- Greater Los Angeles

The California Arts Council

This exhibition runs from January 7, 2002 to February 1, 2002 and is free to the public.

Studio hours: Tuesday though Thursday 10-12 noon, Saturday and Sunday 10-4 P.M.

A percentage of art sales will be donated to Sweatshop

Watch.