Press Release

For Immediate Release
June 21, 2007
Contact: Claire Tesh
Phone (202) 742-5600

Belle Yang Exhibit Grand Opening At The American Immigration Law Center

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Immigration Law Foundation presents a collection from accomplished author and painter, Belle Yang. The pieces in this exhibit are from two of her highly-acclaimed books, "Hannah is My Name" and "Baba: A Return to China Upon My Father's Shoulders". Organized by Claire Tesh, Curriculum Center Manager at AILF, the exhibit will be on display at the American Immigration Law Center Exhibit Hall from July 15, 2007 to December 14, 2007.

The vivid, Chinese-influenced artwork from "Hannah is My Name" and "Baba: A Return to China Upon My Father's Shoulders" tells two stories of a young girl and her family's transition from China to San Francisco, California and the coming-of-age of the artist's father in northern China in the 1930s and 1940s.

"In Belle Yang we have our Isaac Bashevis Singer and Marc Chagall--all in one bright new talent," said Maxine Hong Kingston, author of two National Book Critics Awards for Non-fiction winners, "The Woman Warrior" and "China Men".

Accompanying the collection is the documentary "MY NAME IS BELLE". "MY NAME IS BELLE" is an autobiographical story based on the childhood of Belle Yang and her ability to overcome the struggles of assimilation into American society. Of "MY NAME IS BELLE", author Amy Tan said "Belle's voice is so true and pure it is capable of washing away the grainy layers of cynicism."

Born in 1960 in Taiwan, Belle Yang lived part of her childhood years in Japan. At the age of seven, she and her family immigrated to the United States. She studied at Stirling University in Scotland, graduated from University of California-Santa Cruz with honors in biology, but eventually went on to pursue fine art at the Pasadena Art Center College of Design and the Academy of Traditional Chinese Painting in Beijing. She returned to the United States in 1989 after the Tiananmen Square protests.

"I returned with gratitude in my heart for the freedom of expression given me in America. I returned convinced that I would firmly grasp that generous gift with both hands - always," Belle Yang said regarding her return to the United States.

The American Immigration Law Center Exhibit Hall is open Monday through Friday from 10am - 5pm and is located on 918 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004. For more information, please call (202) 742-5600. The American Immigration Law Center Exhibit Hall is the only facility in Washington, D.C. devoted exclusively to displaying works of art about our nation's immigrant heritage.