Corky Lee, the Chinese American photographer who spent his life capturing the experiences of Asian Americans, has been called the “Undisputed, Unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate”. Sadly, he died from Covid-19 in 2021. Now, a new documentary film, Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story, examines his extraordinary life and work.
From street parades to protests, Lee’s mission was to correct the historical record. As he said, “In all my photographs, I’m trying to include pages that should be in American history books, that have been omitted. I’m practicing photographic justice.” His vast archive paints a vivid portrait of Asian American experiences often disregarded by mainstream history.
Jennifer Takaki, the film’s director, said “Corky helped change the American landscape through his lens. He had the knowledge of American history and the insight of a community organizer, so he could offer insight into a community that he was personally involved with, but also documented in a way to show that they were larger pieces missing from American history.”
Read more: Asian American photographer and activist Corky Lee dies aged 73 after Covid-19 battle
Lee’s commitment to showing up – at small events and major demonstrations alike – allowed him to witness significant moments in Asian American history. Notably, inspired by a historical photograph in which Chinese railroad workers were excluded, he organized a 2014 restaging that celebrated their contributions.
Lee’s dedication extended to capturing the anxieties of the Asian American community during the Covid-19 pandemic. A rise in anti-Asian violence swept across the United States, and Lee documented these incidents, adding another crucial layer to his lifelong mission of visual advocacy.
“The Asian American movement, I believe, is still alive,” Lee says in the documentary. “Whenever there’s a crisis, more people step up to the plate. There will be setbacks, there will be times when you feel depressed about what’s going on, but you have to believe that things are going to get better. If you’re a photographer, keep shooting.”
A Lasting Legacy
Lee’s legacy reminds us of the crucial role of photography in documenting communities and advocating for social change. Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story will be released in theatres in select US cities on 19 April 2024. Swipe right to see the trailer.
