Chinatown Street Fair

This poster was displayed at the Chinatown (New York) Health Fair, 1973. The first Chinatown street health fair was held in 1971 by Asian American activists concerned that Chinatown residents lacked access to adequate health care. The activists, many of whom were college students and inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, held the fair to survey community medical needs and to provide health services. Out of these initials efforts, the activists created a health clinic that, in time, evolved into a federally-qualified community health center, now known as the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, with multiple locations serving Asian Americans and others in New York City. The Chinatown street health fair has been held annually since 1971.

Robert (Bob) Lee donated his time to create the poster. Lee was a member of the important Asian American graphic arts collective, Basement Workshop. The graphic design of the poster draws on artistic style current during China’s Cultural Revolution.

Currently not on view