An immigrant’s tribute in Flushing
Asian American Federation unveils new Union Street mural by visual Taiwanese artist
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
A mural painting in Flushing
is paying tribute to diverse
immigrant communities that
have contributed to the vibrant
life and culture in the area.
The Asian American
Federation (AAF) presented
“Union Street: Where Home
Is,” the first-ever mural
painting on Union Street in
downtown Flushing created
by visual Taiwanese artist
Chemin Hsiao, who is also
an immigrant.
“I hope that people walk
away with just a general sense
of happiness,” Hsiao said. “As
I was putting it up I would get
a lot of children and families
passing by in the afternoons
on their way home, so I was
able to see some of that positive
reaction across generations. It’s
great that people in the area
can see themselves somehow in
the mural and feel connected to
each other and the community.”
The 30-foot long public
artwork, located at 37-23 Union
St., is the first in a series of art
projects planned by AAF as part
of its small business program
to beautify Union Street and
enhance the shopping experience
for customers.
The artwork features the
famed no. 7 subway line and
important institutions and
landmarks surrounding Union
Street, including Latimer House,
Flushing High School, Flushing
Town Hall, Bowne House, the
Weeping Beech Tree, and the
Queens Botanical Garden.
The project is supported
in part by the New York
Economic Development
Corporation (NYEDC) and the
New Work Grant from Queens
Council on the Arts(QCA). The
wall space was provided by
Hanmi Realty.
“We are thrilled to work
with the EDC and Chemin
Hsiao on this art project that
tells the diverse and American
story of the neighborhood and
the valuable contributions of
its immigrant residents. This
beautiful legacy will remind
people that Asian immigrants
remain the economic engine of
so many neighborhoods in this
city long after our small business
assistance program ends,” said
JoAnn Yoo, executive director
of Asian American Federation.
Ikhwan Rim, president of the
Union Street Small Business
Association in Flushing, said
they’re looking forward to
the transformed Union Street
and hope that people continue
to shop local and support the
immigrant businesses in
the community.
City Councilman Peter Koo
said as the Flushing community
continues to grow and evolve,
they’re looking forward to more
opportunities to transform their
public spaces and infrastructure
into amenities that bring people
together, stimulate collective
imaginations, and make
residents and visitors alike
feel welcomed.
“Public murals are great
ways to highlight the unique
talents, diversity and character
of our neighborhoods, and the
Union Street mural is a great
first step forward toward a
new and improved Flushing,”
Koo said.
Congresswoman Grace
Meng said, “We are unveiling
this mural in a week like
this when our immigrant
communities have had so much
tough news. It is a special and
important moment to remember
the tremendous contributions
immigrants have made not
just to Flushing and Queens,
but to our entire country.
This is our way of standing strong
to say thank you to our various
immigrant communities.”
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by email at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com
or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
Union Street: Where Home is, created by visual Taiwanese artist Chemin Hsiao, who is also an
immigrant. Photos courtesy of AAF
The Asian American Federation (AAF) unveiled “Union Street: Where Home Is,” the first-ever mural
painting on Union Street in downtown Flushing created by visual Taiwanese artist Chemin Hsiao, who
is also an immigrant.
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