Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque | City of Albuquerque
Mayor Tim Keller, City of Albuquerque | City of Albuquerque
The community is invited to explore a new temporary installation by artist Caroline Liu at Gallery One in City Hall, available for viewing until March 2025. The exhibit, located in the Art Vault, recreates The Chinese Garden in the Mimbres Valley and highlights forgotten chapters of New Mexico history.
In the late 1800s, the Wah family managed a flourishing garden in the Mimbres Valley, known as an "Oasis in the Desert." Their garden provided food for nearby towns and attracted tourists. During this period, Chinese Americans faced racism under 'The Yellow Peril,' leading to anti-Chinese violence and segregation. The Chinese Exclusion Act of May 1882 barred Chinese immigration until its repeal on December 17, 1943.
"This installation takes inspiration from the Wah family’s garden to shine light on a Chinese family that persevered to create something beautiful for their family, their culture, and their community," said Liu. "The Wah family, along with many other Chinese families, laid the foundation for the thriving Chinese communities that flourish in New Mexico today."
Visitors can engage with news articles and documents to uncover a code opening a door to an imaginative garden guarded by Menshen, traditional Chinese deities promoting positive spirits.
"Having a first-rate art gallery at City Hall with easy and free access is real asset to Albuquerque families," said Mayor Tim Keller. "The art vault inside the gallery is a true hidden gem, the old City Treasury safe transformed into a creative, thought-provoking space folks can enter and be immersed in."
"What Caroline has done is exactly what the space is for – she has made something that is fun, peaceful, and beautiful from a very dark period in this country’s history," said project manager Madrone Matishak. "We are thrilled to open this work to the public."
Liu's installation will remain open through March 2025 during Gallery One's hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Gallery One is situated on the first floor of City Hall at 1 Civic Plaza NW.
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