MARTIAL ARTS, CHINATOWN & BEYOND Smithsonian Institute Exhibition How do Martial Arts get into the Smithsonian Institute? Why is Washington DC pivotal? What happened in 60s and 70s Washington? Why was Chinatown important? How is it changing? How do you get martial into the arts? Andrew Staton talks to Dr Sojin Kim, Guest Curator, Sifu Terence Nicholson, Martial Artist & Artist, Harry Lee Chow grew up in DC’s Chinatown in the 1970s and 1980s, and martial arts played a major role in his life. He loaned his unique collection of 60s, 70s & 80s martial arts memorabilia to the exhibition. Check out the impressive Sightlines exhibition on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum through November 30, 2025. Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond is organized and presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center An important part of the exhibition examines Asian martial arts as vehicles for self-expression and community building. Several schools and styles of martial arts flourished in Washington during the '70s, resulting in the formation of a racially and ethnically diverse lineage of practitioners that continues today. Clothing, badges, trophies, photographs, and artwork that chart the fascinating rise, spread, and impact of martial arts in the city and beyond are highlighted in this section. It also tells the story of Simba Dojang, a tae kwon do school whose successes earned it the accolade of "the winningest team." “Transforming Tradition” examines Asian martial arts as vehicles for self-expression and community building. Several schools and styles of martial arts flourished in Washington during the ’70s, resulting in the formation of a racially and ethnically diverse lineage of practitioners that continues today. The exhibition includes Terence Nicholson’s sculpture, Safety Jacket: A Mourning in Chinatown. A 19th-generation disciple of the Wudang Longmen (Dragon Gate) lineage, Nicholson created this with the Kung Fu sashes recovered after the closing of his teacher’s school in Chinatown. Terence Nicholson, a lifelong resident of Anacostia and a proud Washingtonian, is a distinguished artist and art educator. A graduate of the Corcoran School of Art, Nicholson received the Rosenbaum Memorial Scholarship Award and has participated in three East of the River Art Exhibitions. His solo show, Intro-Circumspective at the Willow Street Gallery in D.C., earned critical acclaim. Nicholson has also served as Curator for Honfleur Gallery and Art Director of the Anacostia Arts Center. He is currently an Exhibit Specialist at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/c/womatelevision/join Thanks for reading & watching, we hope you enjoyed it, please LIKE, SHARE and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to World of Martial Arts Television for more great content!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
