Brooklyn-based photographer Corky Lee’s work capturing Asian Americans spans some 40 years in New York. Lee says his need to capture Asian American history came in junior high school, when he learned the Chinese people helped build the Transcontinental Railroad, yet there was not a picture of the workers in his history book. “I couldn’t see any Chinese in that photograph. So I thought, maybe it’s because I had poor eyesight or perhaps I needed a magnifying glass. So I went out a bought a magnifying glass and I still couldn’t see any Chinese,” says Lee.

His photography covers a wide range of subject matter from the Asian community after September 11th to cultural events to activist movements. Not only does he capture what he sees in the community, but he’s also passionate about helping them. Back in 1971 as a college student, he saw a disparity in health care in Chinatown and organized a health fair to meet the community’s need. That event continues today 40 years later and includes the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center.

Photographer Corky Lee captures 40 years of Asian American in NYC