IRENE CHAN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, VISUAL ARTS - PRINT MEDIA, UMBC
The Thomas Project, 2022
A collection of six works
Artist Assistant Interns:
Chloe Gutnikoff
Byanca Morales-Cabrera
Brenden Thompson
Thomas Sylvanus (aka Ching Lee, Ye Way Lee, Ah Yee Way), was born in China, brought as an orphaned child to America for schooling in the mid-1850s, then enslaved in Baltimore. He eventually ran away to join the Union Army.
His story, along with many 19th-century Chinese in America, including approximately 100 who fought in the civil war, has been forgotten. Chan’s museum-like display of her six works suggests recognition of Thomas’ life story in an exhibition of American history.
“Only 16 at the outbreak of war, he ran north, joined the Freedom Army, and was blinded in the first major campaign. He failed to fully recover his sight and deemed incapable of performing the duties of a soldier, was discharged. Yet he reenlisted twice, saved his regiment’s colors during the bloodbath of Spotsylvania, was lamed at Cold Harbor, and survived 9 months of imprisonment in the dreaded Andersonville stockade. His health broken, but his spirit intact, he battled for survival and justice for his family and himself until his death in 1891. He was, as the New York Times noted, ‘singular.’” “
– from Ruthanne Lum McCunn’s book Chinese Yankee: A True Story of the U.S. Civil War