"/>

Feature: Chinese American artist brings Lunar New Year heritage to life on stamps

Source: Xinhua    2018-03-03 06:55:47

By Yang Shilong, Zhang Yichi, Zhang Mengxi

NEW YORK, March 2 (Xinhua) -- You may not be familiar with the name of the Chinese-American artist Kam Maki but you have probably seen his latest work - The Year of the Dog stamp sheetlet, which highlights and refreshes a lot of fond memories about Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

Mak, who moved to New York with his parents from Hong Kong when he was 10 years old, has been commissioned by the U.S. Postal Services (USPS) to design the second set of Celebrating Chinese New Year stamp series since 2008.

The USPS' first set of 12 zodiac stamps was designed by Chinese-Hawaiian designer Clarence Lee and first introduced in 1993.

HIGHLIGHT CUSTOMS &TRADITION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

"I hope I showcase our culture, customs, and traditions well," Mak said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "(What) we want to really highlight is how beautiful our tradition is and the custom ... especially to people who don't really know about the Lunar New Year."

The Year of the Dog stamp, released by USPS early last month, continues Mak's concept of using the Lunar New Year symbols to highlight the customs and tradition of the Lunar New Year celebration.

The 56-year-old artist said he specifically chose three stalks of lucky bamboo to symbolize three types of good fortune: Fu (happiness), Lu (wealth), and Soh (long life).

"The bamboo stalks are artistically curving and twisting, which symbolizes life' s paths. Though the journey may be fraught with twists and turns, the budding leaves on top are always optimistically facing upwards to heaven."

"The red ribbon of fate floats throughout the middle," he said, "signifying joy and rebirth, entwining us together in peace and cooperation while anchoring us firmly to the earth."

On the right side of the design is a red square positioned on one point (diamond shape) with additional script characters "Fu" written on red paper, he said. The color red has been used to symbolize luck in Chinese culture. The word "Fu" stands for good fortune or happiness.

"Recalling my childhood in Hong Kong, my grandma would pay someone to write Fu and other couplets on red paper by hand, and she would post them around the house just before the New Year," he said.

The stamp also incorporates two elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps -- Lee's intricate cut-paper design of a dog which Mak said had gained a great following.

"So I think this is a beautiful concept, incorporating the traditions, the customs and still have the animal there," he said.

SELECTION OF SYMBOLS A MAJOR CHALLENGE

Mak, who now teaches painting at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, said the selection and presentation of the symbols were a major challenge during the design process.

"The biggest challenge of stamp designing is how to convey your ideas in a space of a square inch," he said.

The zodiac series require the designer not only to think about the composition, but also to understand Chinese culture. The first draft he presented to USPS made officials shake their heads.

"No, no. The illustration will lose too many details when printed on stamps," they told him. Mak started to think about how to simplify the illustration. He had also to make his design different from the previous set.

"The stamps designed by Clarence focus on the images of the zodiac animals. I wanted to show in mine the variety of the Chinese culture," said Mak. "So I decided to not put the spotlight on the animals but on other cultural symbols such as peonies, daffodils, oranges, and red envelopes. But not everyone likes the idea."

Mak had to do presentations again and again to explain the meaning of the symbols to the USPS officials and other people who viewed the drafts until they were approved.

In 2010, on the stamp for the Year of the Tiger, Mak drew five white daffodil flowers. Some people immediately opposed it saying that white is not a blessed color in the Chinese culture, and the white flowers may affect the sales of the stamp, he said.

It was only after he explained that, with the yellow stamens and the white petals, the daffodil flower is also called "jin zhan yin tai" - gold wine cup on a silver plate - in Chinese, and is believed to bring good fortune, did USPS accept the idea.

"In China, everyone knows the origins and meanings of the cultural symbols," said Mak. "But in the U.S. even Chinese Americans born here may not know much. So I have to explain everything to the audience. After listening to my speech, many people said they like the stamps very much and are enchanted by the Chinese culture."

LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMP MEANS A LOT FOR CHINESE COMMUNITY

The issuance of Chinese zodiac stamps by the USPS is the result of a longtime effort by Chinese American communities in the United States.

The Organization of Chinese Americans (now OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates), a major advocacy organization in the Asian community, started to push for the stamps in 1988 under the suggestion of a member in the U.S. state of Georgia named Jean Chen who is also a stamp collector.

More importantly, they hoped to bring to light how Chinese immigrant workers played a big blood-and-sweat role in building the transcontinental railroad essential for the U.S. economy. They decided on the lunar new year theme.

"This lunar year stamp series has a different meaning for us. It's incredible to see my culture being displayed on a stamp in America," Mak said. "It's never too late."

Recognition of Chinese culture in America goes beyond stamps. New York mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Chinese New Year a public school holiday in 2016.

Mak said it was a thrill for the Chinese American community. Many kids including him back in the days had to skip school for the new year. "That was wonderful. It's about time," he said.

On Feb. 24, Mak led a stamp-making workshop at a special program held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. This is the ninth consecutive year for the museum to hold celebratory events for the festival.

"I'm so happy to see all that stuff going on, and we are promoting our culture," Mak said. "This country has many different cultures from different countries and we should all embrace that multiculturalism. Because that's what makes America great."

Mak thinks the holidays are a great opportunity to ingrain customs and cultures into the next generation, like what they eat and do around the Chinese New Year. "I think it is through the holidays that I find is a wonderful way to share the customs."

"One of my students, she's born here she couldn't even speak Chinese but she's performing a lion dance at the MET," said Mak, who goes to inner city schools to read his book "My Chinatown: One Year in Poem."

Editor: yan
Related News
Xinhuanet

Feature: Chinese American artist brings Lunar New Year heritage to life on stamps

Source: Xinhua 2018-03-03 06:55:47

By Yang Shilong, Zhang Yichi, Zhang Mengxi

NEW YORK, March 2 (Xinhua) -- You may not be familiar with the name of the Chinese-American artist Kam Maki but you have probably seen his latest work - The Year of the Dog stamp sheetlet, which highlights and refreshes a lot of fond memories about Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

Mak, who moved to New York with his parents from Hong Kong when he was 10 years old, has been commissioned by the U.S. Postal Services (USPS) to design the second set of Celebrating Chinese New Year stamp series since 2008.

The USPS' first set of 12 zodiac stamps was designed by Chinese-Hawaiian designer Clarence Lee and first introduced in 1993.

HIGHLIGHT CUSTOMS &TRADITION OF LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

"I hope I showcase our culture, customs, and traditions well," Mak said in a recent interview with Xinhua. "(What) we want to really highlight is how beautiful our tradition is and the custom ... especially to people who don't really know about the Lunar New Year."

The Year of the Dog stamp, released by USPS early last month, continues Mak's concept of using the Lunar New Year symbols to highlight the customs and tradition of the Lunar New Year celebration.

The 56-year-old artist said he specifically chose three stalks of lucky bamboo to symbolize three types of good fortune: Fu (happiness), Lu (wealth), and Soh (long life).

"The bamboo stalks are artistically curving and twisting, which symbolizes life' s paths. Though the journey may be fraught with twists and turns, the budding leaves on top are always optimistically facing upwards to heaven."

"The red ribbon of fate floats throughout the middle," he said, "signifying joy and rebirth, entwining us together in peace and cooperation while anchoring us firmly to the earth."

On the right side of the design is a red square positioned on one point (diamond shape) with additional script characters "Fu" written on red paper, he said. The color red has been used to symbolize luck in Chinese culture. The word "Fu" stands for good fortune or happiness.

"Recalling my childhood in Hong Kong, my grandma would pay someone to write Fu and other couplets on red paper by hand, and she would post them around the house just before the New Year," he said.

The stamp also incorporates two elements from the previous series of Lunar New Year stamps -- Lee's intricate cut-paper design of a dog which Mak said had gained a great following.

"So I think this is a beautiful concept, incorporating the traditions, the customs and still have the animal there," he said.

SELECTION OF SYMBOLS A MAJOR CHALLENGE

Mak, who now teaches painting at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, said the selection and presentation of the symbols were a major challenge during the design process.

"The biggest challenge of stamp designing is how to convey your ideas in a space of a square inch," he said.

The zodiac series require the designer not only to think about the composition, but also to understand Chinese culture. The first draft he presented to USPS made officials shake their heads.

"No, no. The illustration will lose too many details when printed on stamps," they told him. Mak started to think about how to simplify the illustration. He had also to make his design different from the previous set.

"The stamps designed by Clarence focus on the images of the zodiac animals. I wanted to show in mine the variety of the Chinese culture," said Mak. "So I decided to not put the spotlight on the animals but on other cultural symbols such as peonies, daffodils, oranges, and red envelopes. But not everyone likes the idea."

Mak had to do presentations again and again to explain the meaning of the symbols to the USPS officials and other people who viewed the drafts until they were approved.

In 2010, on the stamp for the Year of the Tiger, Mak drew five white daffodil flowers. Some people immediately opposed it saying that white is not a blessed color in the Chinese culture, and the white flowers may affect the sales of the stamp, he said.

It was only after he explained that, with the yellow stamens and the white petals, the daffodil flower is also called "jin zhan yin tai" - gold wine cup on a silver plate - in Chinese, and is believed to bring good fortune, did USPS accept the idea.

"In China, everyone knows the origins and meanings of the cultural symbols," said Mak. "But in the U.S. even Chinese Americans born here may not know much. So I have to explain everything to the audience. After listening to my speech, many people said they like the stamps very much and are enchanted by the Chinese culture."

LUNAR NEW YEAR STAMP MEANS A LOT FOR CHINESE COMMUNITY

The issuance of Chinese zodiac stamps by the USPS is the result of a longtime effort by Chinese American communities in the United States.

The Organization of Chinese Americans (now OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates), a major advocacy organization in the Asian community, started to push for the stamps in 1988 under the suggestion of a member in the U.S. state of Georgia named Jean Chen who is also a stamp collector.

More importantly, they hoped to bring to light how Chinese immigrant workers played a big blood-and-sweat role in building the transcontinental railroad essential for the U.S. economy. They decided on the lunar new year theme.

"This lunar year stamp series has a different meaning for us. It's incredible to see my culture being displayed on a stamp in America," Mak said. "It's never too late."

Recognition of Chinese culture in America goes beyond stamps. New York mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Chinese New Year a public school holiday in 2016.

Mak said it was a thrill for the Chinese American community. Many kids including him back in the days had to skip school for the new year. "That was wonderful. It's about time," he said.

On Feb. 24, Mak led a stamp-making workshop at a special program held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. This is the ninth consecutive year for the museum to hold celebratory events for the festival.

"I'm so happy to see all that stuff going on, and we are promoting our culture," Mak said. "This country has many different cultures from different countries and we should all embrace that multiculturalism. Because that's what makes America great."

Mak thinks the holidays are a great opportunity to ingrain customs and cultures into the next generation, like what they eat and do around the Chinese New Year. "I think it is through the holidays that I find is a wonderful way to share the customs."

"One of my students, she's born here she couldn't even speak Chinese but she's performing a lion dance at the MET," said Mak, who goes to inner city schools to read his book "My Chinatown: One Year in Poem."

[Editor: huaxia]
010020070750000000000000011105521370121201
乐发lv 大发app 凤凰彩票app 乐发iv游戏平台 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发彩票 乐发彩票app下载 大发彩票 乐发v官网 乐发lll 乐发lv入口 乐发iv首页 乐发ll登录 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发官网 乐发ii下载入口 乐发ll 乐发v平台 乐发v官网 乐发lll 乐发lv入口 乐发iv首页 乐发ll登录 乐发lv 乐发lll安装 乐发lv 乐发登录入口 乐发iv游戏平台 凤凰彩票登录 网信彩票 彩神 彩神彩票官方网站 彩神彩票官网首页 彩神官方app下载安卓版 凤凰彩票登录 彩神v3 凤凰彩票app下载 彩神官方app下载安卓版 网信快三 一分快3 快三彩票购彩平台 凤凰彩票官方 快3官网 网信彩票 快3app 网信彩票平台 百姓彩票平台 网信平台官网 快3app下载 百姓彩票 每日彩票 快3app 百姓彩票 每日彩票 快3app 百姓彩票平台 幸运5分彩快3 快3彩票app下载 百姓彩票网站网址 大发10分PK10 快3下载 网信彩票平台 网信平台官网 快3彩票官网app 凤凰彩票官方 彩神彩票 大发10分PK10 彩神v3 大发彩票app下载 百姓彩票网站网址 彩神购彩平台 每日彩票 官方正规快三彩票平台 彩神彩票购彩平台 百姓彩票 凤凰彩票购彩平台 凤凰彩票app下载 彩神官方app下载安卓版 网信快三 一分快3 快三彩票购彩平台 凤凰彩票官方 彩神彩票 大发10分PK10 彩神v3 凤凰彩票登录 乐发lv 乐发∨Il 百姓彩票网站网址 乐发彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 乐发lll安装 百姓彩票网站网址 凤凰彩票app下载 大发10分PK10 乐发2 乐发app 凤凰彩票 大发彩票app 乐发登录入口 乐发ll登录 乐发v官网 乐发官网 大发彩票app下载 凤凰彩票购彩平台 彩神彩票 官方正规快三彩票平台 一分快3 百姓彩票网站网址 凤凰彩票app下载 大发10分PK10 乐发2 乐发app 凤凰彩票 大发彩票app 乐发登录入口 乐发ll登录 乐发v官网 乐发官网 大发彩票app下载 凤凰彩票购彩平台 彩神彩票 官方正规快三彩票平台 1分快三平台 百姓彩票平台 凤凰彩票登录 幸运5分彩快3 彩神 乐发彩票 乐发 大发彩票 乐发iv游戏平台 乐发lv 乐发lll 乐发ii下载入口 乐发彩票官方网站 凤凰彩票官方网站 凤凰快3 彩神彩票官网首页 1分快三平台 百姓彩票平台 凤凰彩票登录 幸运5分彩快3 彩神 乐发彩票 乐发 大发彩票 乐发iv游戏平台 乐发lv 凤凰彩票app 乐发app 网信彩票平台 网信彩票平台 乐发iv游戏平台 凤凰彩票app 乐发lv 乐发彩票app下载 凤凰彩票app 网信彩票平台 乐发彩票app下载 乐发lv 乐发app 大发彩票安卓下载 大发彩票安卓下载 大发彩票 乐发彩票app下载 网信彩票平台 乐发iv游戏平台 彩神彩票 乐发彩票中心 极速快3彩票平台 人人快三凤凰 大发彩票app 大发彩票大全 乐发彩票 彩神彩票官方网站 乐发app 酷天堂彩票平台 凤凰彩票app下载 凤凰彩票大厅 凤凰彩票app 极速快3彩票平台 凤凰彩票 凤凰快3 乐发ll官网 乐发彩票中心 正规快三送彩金平台 凤凰彩票官方 乐发ll 乐发 网信彩票 彩神彩票 彩神彩票官方网站 大发彩票app 网信彩票用户 百姓快三 百姓彩票平台 乐发lv 乐发彩票app下载 彩信平台 网信彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 乐发∨Il 人人快三凤凰 凤凰彩票 凤凰快3 乐发ll官网 乐发彩票中心 正规快三送彩金平台 凤凰彩票官方 乐发ll 乐发 网信彩票 彩神彩票 彩神彩票官方网站 人人快三凤凰 乐发彩票 彩神彩票 乐发iv游戏平台 乐发彩票 大发彩票中心 凤凰彩票登录 凤凰彩票app 彩神彩票 大发彩票 乐发ll 大发彩票app 凤凰快3 凤凰彩票 彩神彩票 乐发ll 凤凰彩票 乐发lll 凤凰彩票大厅 网信彩票 彩神彩票 乐发lv 快盈彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 盈彩网投资平台 大发官网 一分时时彩 乐发lv 快3平台 凤凰快3 乐发ll 全民彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 百姓彩票 乐发彩票 大发彩票 极速快3 乐发app 大发官网 乐发lll 快3平台 凤凰快3 乐发ll 全民彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 百姓彩票 乐发彩票 大发彩票 极速快3 乐发app 彩神iv 大发彩票app 大小单双平台 一分pk10 乐发lv 快盈彩票 乐发官网 快彩彩票 百姓彩票 凤凰彩票大厅 网信彩票 乐发彩票中心 网信快3 乐发 彩神xl 三分快3 大发彩票 大发官网 乐发lll 快3平台 凤凰快3 乐发ll 全民彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 百姓彩票 乐发彩票 乐发彩票官方网站 大发彩票 乐发 分分快3 彩神vl 55世纪 55世纪 凤凰快3 乐发彩票 乐发lv welcome凤凰彩票 乐发ll 1分快3 彩神 彩神ll 1分快3官网 1分快3的平台 welcome凤凰彩票 三分快3 彩神x 彩神vl 凤凰彩票 彩神xl 大发彩票 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发官网 乐发ll 乐发lll 乐发lv 大发彩票app 大发彩票 乐发 乐发彩票 乐发彩票中心 凤凰快3 乐发彩票 彩神xl 腾讯快3 大发彩票 彩神xl 大发彩票 乐发彩票 大发彩票app 快3平台 乐发 1分快3 乐发彩票 彩神x 凤凰快3 彩神xl 彩吧助手 大发彩票app 快3平台 大发排列3 彩神iv 彩神vl 乐发IV 彩神x 一分pk10 大发排列3 乐发lv 快3彩票 乐发app下载 三分快3 快三平台助手 乐发彩票ll 彩神iv 乐发lll下载 盈彩网投资平台 乐发Ⅲ 一分pk10 凤凰彩票 乐发Vll 大发官网 乐发ll 大发彩票 乐发1 凤凰快3 彩神vl 乐发lx 百姓彩票 乐发VI 彩神x 乐发IV 极速快3 乐发 凤凰快3 网信快3 乐发lv 快3彩票 乐发app下载 三分快3 快三平台助手 乐发彩票ll 彩神iv 乐发lll下载 盈彩网投资平台 乐发Ⅲ 凤凰彩票大厅 乐发lv 乐发lv 乐发lv 凤凰彩票 大发彩票 大发彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 凤凰彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 乐发ll 凤凰彩票app下载 凤凰彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 乐发ll 凤凰彩票app下载 凤凰彩票 凤凰彩票 乐发lv 彩神x 乐发 乐发ll 极速快3 乐发lv 乐发彩票中心 快3彩票 凤凰彩票大厅 彩神x 凤凰彩票app 分分快3 网信彩票 网盟彩票 凤凰彩票 百姓彩票 乐发 快彩彩票 乐发彩票 快3平台 百姓彩票 大小单双平台 凤凰快3 彩神xl 一分pk10 乐发lv 三分快3 大发彩票 乐发彩票 快3平台 百姓彩票 大小单双平台 凤凰快3 彩神xl 一分pk10 乐发lv 三分快3 大发彩票 极速快3 乐发ll 网信彩票 乐发lv 全民彩票 凤凰彩票app下载 快盈彩票 大发彩票app 大发官网 凤凰彩票 彩神iv 大发彩票 网信快3 凤凰彩票 百姓彩票