OCA-New England Chapter, P.O. Box 644, Belmont, MA 02478 Website: www.ocanewengland.org Email:oca_ne@yahoo.com
ORGANIZATION OF CHINESE AMERICANS, INC.
EMBRACING THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF CHINESE AND ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karin Oen
March 3, 2005 646-232-8469
Karin.Oen@stanfordalumni.org,
OCA New England Commissions Print Edition to Benefit
Tsunami Relief in Asia
Boston, MA – In China, New Year’s prints are household decorations to mark the Lunar New Year festivities,
often bearing images of imposing warrior guards to ward off bad luck. This year in Boston, New Year’s prints
have a different meaning altogether. The Organization of Chinese Americans New England Chapter (OCA-
NE), a non-profit, non-partisan Asian Pacific American advocacy organization, has commissioned artists Bo
Lembo and CJ Phu to create a limited edition fine art print to be sold as a fundraiser to benefit ongoing relief
efforts in the wake of the Asian tsunami disaster. These prints, which will be debuted at the annual OCA-NE
Lunar New Year Banquet on March 5, 2005, are made with images from Indonesian tjaps, copper stamps
used to make Indonesian batik textiles.
Lembo and Phu had already been drawn to the intricate botanical imagery of Javanese tjaps, but
when the tsunami hit, their interest took on new meaning. Phu, a painter from Malden, has always worked
with plant imagery in his work. “I am fascinated with the way that plants can communicate with each other,
how their physical forms adapt to their surroundings, and how they can regenerate,” Phu stated. “The
designs found in Indonesian textiles highlight how those artists have always been inspired by their natural
surroundings, even knowing the destruction that nature can cause. The imagery of the tjaps is very close to
the images in my own work, it’s easy for me to feel a connection to that part of the world.” Phu’s artwork is
currently on view at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, and the Massachusetts Audobon Society in
Sharon.
“The need for this fundraiser is obvious,” stated Lembo, a Boston printmaker. He continued, “Even
though the Indonesian island of Java was not affected by the tsunami, Indonesia is suffering some of the
worst damage.” The print edition was created in Lembo’s Jamaica Plain studio with the help of fellow Boston
printmaker David Publow.
After the Asian tsunami disaster, OCA-NE was determined to contribute to ongoing relief efforts in
South and Southeast Asia. Their annual Lunar New Year Banquet seemed a logical place to start, but the
board of trustees wanted the fundraiser to extend beyond one evening. "New Year’s is always a time for
reflecting on the past and looking to the future. This is even more so when tragic events such as the tsunami
occur, affecting so many people across Asia. OCA is proud to sponsor this print, which is itself a Pan Asian-
American effort. We hope it communicates a hopeful, message that resonates across boundaries," said OCA-
NE President Lisbeth Shaw.
OCA-NE Banquet Chairperson Denise Chan adds, "It's important to remember that rebuilding in the
tsunami-affected areas are an ongoing effort. We tend to forget about the devastation when it's not constantly
in the news. Our main focus of this event is to celebrate life. It's typically taboo to talk about tragedy around
the Lunar New year, but what is more meaningful than to raise money for tsunami victims and help them
rebuild their way of life?"
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OCA-New England Chapter, P.O. Box 644, Belmont, MA 02478 Website: www.ocanewengland.org Email:oca_ne@yahoo.com
ORGANIZATION OF CHINESE AMERICANS, INC.
EMBRACING THE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS OF CHINESE AND ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS IN THE UNITED STATES
“Everyone has already given to some charitable organization, but by selling this beautiful print
edition, we’re hoping to encourage people to donate again,” said OCA-NE board member Karin Oen, “As an
overseas Chinese from Indonesia, I’m especially proud to be able to help direct donations from the United
States to the regions of Southeast Asia that need our help.”
These prints, a limited edition of 40, are valued at $250 each. They will be available for sale for $85
on the evening of the Lunar New Year Banquet and $100 thereafter. A framed print will also be available at
the banquet’s silent auction.
The proceeds from the Lunar New Year banquet and the print edition fundraiser will benefit
MercyCorps, an Oregon-based charitable organization whose tsunami relief efforts address the long-term
needs of children and accelerating the economic recovery among Indonesian families through cash-for-work
programs. More information on MercyCorps can be found on their Web site: www.mercycorps.org . For more
information on OCA New England, or to buy a print, please contact Karin Oen at 646-232-8469. To attend
the OCA-NE Lunar New Year banquet on March 5 at China Pearl Restaurant (9 Tyler Street, Boston, MA)
please contact Denise Chan at ding288@yahoo.com or Ron and Jean Young at 617-484-1806.
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