A Story That Lives Within US: Ada is a group exhibition, curated by Tzu-Ying (Naomi) Chan. The exhibition presents the diverse stories of Taiwanese immigrants in the United States, centers on a fictional symbolic character Ada Lin, whose narrative bridges countless real experiences of leaving Taiwan and beginning a new life abroad. Based on oral histories, the project draws from interviews of multiple Taiwanese American immigrants to construct Ada’s migratory journey, one that echoes the paths of many.

The exhibition brings together twelve artists whose works span installations, paintings, ceramics, performance, and mixed-media practices. Drawing from their personal insights and lived experiences, the artists reflect on stages of life that symbolize Ada’s own journey, approaching migration from different angles and moments in time. Together, their works explore themes of identity, cultural adaptation, memory transmission, and the ongoing search for belonging. Danny Liu (Amazonas)’s quilt centers on Taiwan’s door gods, traditional protective deities that symbolize guardianship, blessings, and good fortune, carrying with them the hopes and beginnings of the immigrant journey.

James Hsieh transforms his inner vision of emotions into vivid visual expressions of tapestry and installation inspired by the natural diversity that bridges to his memories of growing up in Taiwan with his experiences of life in New York City. Hsiao-Chu (Julia) Hsia’s interactive installation and performance explore movement, migration, and cultural exchange. She visualizes journeys between two points, showing how, like voyagers, immigrants carry and transform culture, lifestyles, and perspectives. Chihyang Hsu presents an installation incorporating Chinese Chess, which features three players and subtly reflects political tensions among three countries in the 1970s. Chiya Huang’s illustrations demonstrate everyday street moments in Taiwan into reflections on local culture. John Chia Hsuan Kuo presents ceramic works inspired by dense city’s buildings, lights and windows, which symbolize the new environment and sense of belonging after relocating to New York. 

Hung-Ju Kan collages patterns of Taiwanese floral fabrics and wallpaper into his drawings, layering pigments so motifs subtly emerge and fade. These abstract compositions create a poetic depth reflecting the interplay of memory and identity. As a collective, Munus Shih and Yalan Wen present a mixed-media installation inspired by their shared heritage and their experiences growing up as Hakka Taiwanese. Their work explores the “in-between” states that shape both personal narratives and the broader history of Hakka life, resonating with wider immigrant experiences.

Jason Cole Mager is known for his contemporary history paintings that employ symbolic patterns to explore Taiwan’s political and cultural history, particularly during its periods of Dutch and Japanese colonization. Leigh Wen’s life between the United States and Taiwan inspires her reflections on the environment, the land, and the meaning of home. Sherry Yang’s pastel work depicts Taiwanese landscapes and the Formosan water buffalo. The buffalo, a vital figure in Taiwan’s early agricultural society, becomes a metaphor for the steadfast and hardworking spirit of resilience and humility in Taiwanese immigrants.

This exhibition reflects the resilience, nostalgia, and quiet achievements of Taiwanese immigrants. It also conveys the personal growth and transformations that arise from changes in one’s environment. The exhibition aims to offer immigrants at different stages a closer perspective on familiar experiences, helping them realize they are not alone as many have embarked on similar journeys from different starting points. Every detail of the exhibition may serve as the beginning for countless personal stories. Through art, the exhibition transcends the immigrant experience, amplifies emotions across different periods, and encourages viewers to reflect on their own journeys. Many immigrant experiences are difficult to articulate; through the artworks, visitors can feel, see, and revisit their own stories in different corners of the exhibition.

This is not only a visual art exhibition but also an act of cultural preservation and collective narrative reconstruction. By weaving contemporary art with real-life experiences, the exhibition invites visitors to situate themselves within the flow of migration, reflect on their identity and cultural belonging, and witness the lasting impact of Taiwanese immigrants in American society. The exhibition also aims to serve as a bridge between first- and second-generation immigrants, encouraging them to revisit and understand the paths they have shared, while fostering cross-generational cultural connections and a sense of belonging.

Ada’s story can reflect a broader ethnicity of the immigrant experience. Through A Story That Lives Within US: Ada, we hope to foster a deeper understanding and empathy for the emotional journey of immigrants. We all might know an “Ada,” or perhaps we are “Ada” ourselves in life.