Flushing’s Golden Age Celebrates Community Resilience

New Yorkers are invited to celebrate “Flushing’s Golden Age” at the exhibit’s opening reception for world-renowned artist Shih-Pao Lin at Flushing Town Hall on Saturday, December 17, 1pm.

“Our community has been ravaged by the pandemic, hate crimes, and economic crisis,” stated artist Shih-Pao Lin. “However, our best days are ahead of us and we look forward to Flushing's Golden Age.”

The artist Shih-Pao Lin was joined by the host committee and event sponsors, including Thomas Chen of Crystal Windows, Andrew Wang of Tea Plus, and Alice Lee of S.P. Art LLC.

“We are honored to support artist Shih-Pao Lin,” stated Thomas Chen, founder of Crystal Windows. “Mr. Lin uses waste materials from our company to raise important questions about human society and our connection with the environment. Please visit Flushing Town Hall to see Shih-Pao Lin’s The Golden Age exhibition, to enjoy your own Golden Age.”

The opening reception for Flushing’s Golden Age is free and open to the public. Due to limited space, participants must register in advance at goldenage2022.eventbrite.com.

“Flushing Town Hall is delighted to host this wonderful exhibition by Taiwanese artist Shih-Pao Lin. The artist’s objective is to convey hope, love, and peace to bring people together and change the world,” said Ellen Kodadek, executive and artistic director of Flushing Town Hall. “We invite the community to come to see the exhibit and be refreshed for the Lunar New Year!”

Artist Shih-Pao Lin was also joined by a number of community leaders, including Queens College president Frank Wu, Taiwanese American Arts Council executive director Luchia Meihua Lee, and Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce executive director John Choe.

“Queens College is honored to join with Thomas Chen in supporting the Golden Age exhibit at Flushing Town Hall,” stated Frank Wu, President of Queens College, City University of New York. “We are lucky that someone with his unique vision is willing to share what he has collected, for the enjoyment and appreciation of all.”

President Wu was especially impressed by Shih-Pao Lin’s MetroCard sculptures depicting the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: “Only in New York can you find art that fuses the everyday reality of subway MetroCards with the symbols of traditional Chinese culture.”

Shih-Pao Lin’s Chinese Zodiac project was made possible by thousands of MetroCard donations by New Yorkers over several years. Lin still needs more MetroCards, especially the white reduced-fare cards used by senior citizens. Those attending the Golden Age exhibit are encouraged to bring and donate their MetroCards for use by the artist.

“I became acquainted with artist Shih-Pao Lin in 1980 when I was curator at the National Museum of Fine Art in Taiwan,” stated Luchia Meihua Lee, director of Taiwanese American Art Council (TAAC). “Shih-Pao Lin’s art connects traditional Asian cultural philosophy and the emerging contemporary urban experience. We can see this in Lin’s brush-ink paintings, mixed media collage wall pieces, and his transformation of reused material into three-dimensional public sculpture. Lin’s effort and passion in life and art have created meaningful art pieces that record important truths of our era.”

The opening reception for Flushing’s Golden Age coincides with the end-of-year holiday party hosted by the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. Due to limited space, attendees must register in advance at goldenage2022.eventbrite.com.

“We look forward to celebrating the resilience, diversity and strength of our community and invite all New Yorkers to join us for the opening reception of Flushing’s Golden Age,” stated Alice Lee, chair of the advisory board at the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “Our community has overcome so many challenges and continues to survive. Let’s acknowledge our achievements and look forward to a prosperous Year of the Rabbit!"