Hung Liu: Portraits of Promised Lands

by Dorothy Moss (Author), Nancy Lim (Contributor), Lucy R. Lippard (Contributor), Elizabeth Partridge(Contributor), Philip Tinari (Contributor)

Hung Liu: Portraits of Promised Lands is a richly illustrated survey of the work of contemporary Chinese American artist Hung Liu (1948–2021), whose layered portraits explore the intersections of history, memory, identity, and displacement. Drawing on photography, painting, and drawing, Liu brings attention to overlooked and marginalized figures, giving voice to lives often left out of historical narratives. Spanning six decades of artistic practice, this volume features essays by leading writers, curators, and artists examining Liu’s techniques, cultural influences, and lasting impact on contemporary art. Shaped by her experiences of war, political revolution, exile, and migration, Liu’s work offers a moving reflection on the Asian Pacific American experience and the universal search for belonging and a better life. Published in association with the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery, this compelling volume celebrates Liu’s enduring artistic legacy.

Hardcover, 224 pages