A few months before her death from pancreatic cancer, Oakland-based visual artist Hung Liu was working on a project for her former students and mentees to carry on her legacy. The renowned Chinese artist laid the groundwork for an exhibit honoring women artists she had mentored during her two decades as a tenured professor at Mills College (now Mills College at Northeastern University).
The exhibit Look Up to the Sky, Hung Liu’s Legacy of Mentoring Women’s Artists, was unveiled at the Mills College Art Museum on Jan. 20 and is on display through March 24. It includes the works of Rosana Castrillo Diaz, Nicole Fein, Danielle Lawrence, Monica Lundy, Nancy Mintz, Sandra Ono, Susan Preston, Mel Prest, Rachelle Reichert, Yoshiko Shimano, Gina Tuzzi, Lien Truong, and Bambi Waterman. The artwork includes watercolor and graphite on paper, oil and acrylic on canvas, three-dimensional sculptures, tapestry, and more.
Right before Liu’s sudden passing at 73 years old — she was diagnosed just a few weeks prior— she managed to cement her work’s legacy and what she meant for the art world. She met with photographer and cinematographer Steve Babuljak and muralist David Burke to have her portrait taken for the Love Letter to Oakland mural gracing a large wall in Temescal unveiled in the summer of 2022. Also, in August of 2021, her exhibit Portraits of Promised Lands debuted at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Stephanie Hanor, the Mills College Museum director since 2009, worked closely with Liu. The museum is known for hosting thesis exhibitions for undergrad and MFA art students.
In the summer of 2021, Liu reached out to Hanor to talk about the idea of this exhibit and how important it was for Liu to showcase the artwork of some of the many women she taught and mentored, with a list of artists in mind. Liu and Hanor met once and exchanged emails back and forth. Unfortunately, Liu’s health declined, and the duo never got the chance to meet again before Liu’s passing.
“This show is the realization of this idea,” Hanor said.
The exhibit also features work by Liu, including the mixed media artwork from 2014 titled White Rice Bowl. This was one of several works Liu gifted to the museum. The piece sits in the middle of the space, and the works of the multigenerational group of artists handpicked by Liu are arranged around it.
Mel Prest is one of those handpicked artists. After graduating, she worked as Liu’s studio assistant and shared a friendship with the artist.
“Being able to observe how she interacted with people,” Prest said. “I learned so much about being an artist just being around her and all the things that you do every day in an art practice. Some of it is fun and creative, and some of it is drudge work.”
Prest recalled a particular task when she was the studio assistant. Liu handed her a grocery bag filled with unlabeled photo slides. Prest’s work was to look through each and label them.
Her relationship with Liu went much further than that of a professor and mentor. She credits Liu with helping her navigate a difficult time when she had just started school.
“She took me under her wing, always checking to ensure I was doing ok,” Prest said.
Years later, Liu also introduced Prest to her future husband. The pair have been married since 2000, and Liu attended the wedding.
Prest said that Liu always found ways to champion her former students, and the exhibit is a testament to Liu’s legacy.
“Getting the call that Liu wanted me to be part of the exhibit was a pleasant surprise,” Prest said. “I’m so honored to be in the show with people making such beautiful work. I appreciate feeling like we are in the presence of Hung.”
Look Up to the Sky is a small fraction of the legacy Liu left behind, where the artists she once taught and mentored now get to carry the torch.
“She’s still very present. Her deep caring about humanity is still there,” Prest said. “We are still doing the work that Hung started with us.”
Look Up to the Sky will have a curator-led tour on Saturday, March 23, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Mills College Art Museum, 5000 MacArthur Blvd. The museum’s visiting hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to – 4 p.m., and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
