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Chinese American Legacy Artwork Project

Bring this historic sculpture to Seattle.

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Exclusion. Expulsion. Expunge.

We need your support for the creation of a powerful public art installation honoring the Chinese immigrants expelled from Seattle in 1886. In 1886, over 350 Chinese immigrants were violently forced from their homes in Seattle and marched to the waterfront for expulsion. This act of racial violence, largely erased from public memory, is now being acknowledged through a bold new public artwork. The Chinese American Legacy Artwork Project (CALAP) will install a 10-foot bronze sculpture near the site of the expulsion — a permanent reminder of resilience in the face of injustice and the significance of remembering our history.

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All donations will be matched! ↗

Support the creation of a public art installation honoring the Chinese immigrants expelled from Seattle in 1886.

MEET THE ARTIST

Seattle artist Stewart Wong was commissioned to create this sculpture. His design responds to both historical trauma and the ongoing rise in anti-Asian violence. The six human figures, a suspended arch, and a fractured scale of justice are symbolic elements of the sculpture that speaks to the pain of exclusion and the strength of community.

SYMBOLISM BEHIND THE DESIGN

Six abstract human figures flank the ‘X’, arranged like chess pieces to represent opposing forces. On one side stand three mob figures, while the other side features three Chinese laborers. At the center of the installation stands a 10-foot-tall ‘X’, a stark symbol of division and displacement. A tipped Scale of Justice above the ‘X’ highlights the imbalance of law and protection, inviting reflection on the ongoing struggle for racial justice.

“I am evermore compelled to continue in social justice work through my creativity to help address our continuing struggles and conflict and to be one of many voices in support of the community.”

— Stewart Wong, Artist

Project Timeline

The Chinese American Legacy Art Project is an ambitious public art initiative that will commemorate a disquieting period in Seattle’s history.

2021 - 2023

Design & Development

How historic events inspired the design of the sculpture.

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 marked the first time the federal government barred a group of immigrants based on their race or nationality. The law worked alongside numerous state laws passed throughout the West limiting the rights of Chinese immigrants.
On February 7, 1886, a mob of 1,500 people — led by the Knights of Labor and other anti-Chinese groups — stormed Seattle’s Chinatown. They rounded up hundreds of Chinese immigrants and forced them onto wagons bound for the waterfront. Though a court order temporarily halted the deportation, most of the victims, fearing for their lives, left Seattle permanently.

🔵 We are Here! 🔵

Funding the Fabrication

We’re halfway there in fully funding this project.

The Anti-Chinese Riot of 1886 was not an isolated event. Similar expulsions occurred in Tacoma, Issaquah, and across the West.
The legacy of exclusion still echoes today.
All funds donated will go directly to the completion of this project. We received a generous donation from SeattleFWC26 to match your donation up to $50,000.

Late 2026+

Installation

Budget will be used for fabrication, permits, and events.

The completion date is still pending. However, the community has already raised more than half of the dollar amount needed to bring this artwork to life.
As of now, no discussion has been made yet to remove the sculpture after a certain period after it’s installed.

Where the Story will be Told

The sculpture will be installed at Alaskan Way South and South Washington Street, adjacent to the Compass Center. This site is near where Chinese immigrants were forced onto the steamship Queen of the Pacific in 1886.