FLO OY WONG LEGACY Project
The FLO OY WONG LEGACY Project documents the arc of artist/poet/educator Flo Oy Wong’s full career, catalogs her body of work, and shares her stories and wisdom with future generations.
Flo Oy Wong, a trailblazing mixed-media artist, poet, and educator whose vision and voice spotlight the contributions of ordinary people, particularly Chinese-Americans and Asian-Americans, died at age 87 in April 2026. Flo was a pioneer in 20th century art – the founder of the Asian American Women Artists’ Association, a daughter of Oakland Chinatown, and a Sunnyvale California resident for over 60 years. She was unique even among her peer group, which included nationally known artists Hung Liu, Bernice Bing, and Ruth Asawa, because she was both an artist herself and also a connector of artists across mediums and generations.
Flo exhibited nationwide, from the Smithsonian in Washington DC to Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. Her work is in many museums and private collections. She published several books, was the subject of two films, and co-created both a major Oakland Chinatown mural and a four-movement narrative musical piece (with composer Marcus Shelby).
In the months since Flo’s death, museums and other historical organizations ranging from the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles to the Smithsonian Museum of Art to the Smithsonian Archives have reached out to inquire about acquiring her work and papers. In particular, curators are interested in Flo’s Oakland Chinatown series, her Baby Jack Rice series, and a number of her large textiles pieces composed primarily of Chinese rice sacks. These are all works that tell a story of Cantonese immigrants in 20th century America that is broad in its sweep and also deeply specific in its exploration of Flo’s own family history. Flo Oy Wong was a groundbreaking figure in 20th century art. It is important to the artistic community and the historical record that her work is fully documented, such that her entire legacy can be fully considered for preservation and acquisition by museums in California and nationwide.
FLO OY WONG LEGACY Project Team
The Estate of Flo Oy Wong, Edward K. Wong, Trustee
Andi Wong, Project Manager
Megan Wong, Project Assistant
At Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS), our mission is to celebrate and elevate AAPI voices and we are honored to serve as fiscal sponsor for the Flo Oy Wong Legacy Cataloging Project. Flo was a beloved artist, poet, educator, community leader, and a powerful voice in Asian American arts and culture. As a recipient of CATS’ Image Hero Award and through her longstanding relationship with our organization and community partners, Flo’s legacy embodies the very values that CATS strives to advance.
We wish to acknowledge the generous donors whose contributions make this project possible.
Lyra Bengtson
Lenore Chinn
Allison Chop
Alfred and Sharene Chuang
Diane Fujii
Mara Grimes
Chris Hughes & Sean Eldridge
Reiko Iwanaga
Kevin Jones & Dawn Herrell-Jones
Jeff Krehely
Leianne & Jeff Lamb
Raymond and Joanne Lin Fund
John Penny
Ronald and Joelle Perkocha
Diane Tani
Ruth Kityama Terao
Karen Weller
Nelson Ng & Kimberley Wong
Steve and Karen Wong
Connie Young Yu
Bobbi Yuen
