Corky Lee

Born in Queens, New York, to Chinese immigrant parents, Lee became passionate about social justice early on, particularly after learning that Chinese laborers who helped build the transcontinental railroad had been excluded from the iconic photo taken at its completion. This moment inspired him to dedicate his life to rectifying the historical and cultural invisibility of Asian Americans.

Lee’s body of work spanned several decades and was Pan-Asian in its scope. He captured the rich diversity of the AAPI diaspora, documenting not only Chinese American communities but also Korean American, Japanese American, Filipino, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and many other subgroups. His photos showcased the vibrancy and complexity of these communities, while also covering critical moments in AAPI activism, including anti-Vietnam protests in the U.S., racism, police brutality, fair labor practices, fair housing, ethnic studies, and other political and social issues. Notably, he photographed protests following the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin in Michigan. As the son of Chinese immigrants and a WWII veteran, Lee also advocated for the Chinese American WWII Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act, which was passed into law on December 20, 2018.

Although he did not take up photography until after graduating from college, the spark for Lee’s activism and photography was ignited in middle school, when he saw a photo of the 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad. Despite the monumental accomplishment, no Chinese laborers—the very workers who made the railroad’s completion possible—were featured in the image. Lee later recalled studying the photo with a magnifying glass, but said he “couldn’t find a single Chinese.” This injustice planted the seed of his lifelong mission.

Before his death in January 2021 from complications related to COVID-19, Corky Lee fulfilled a long-time dream to restage the transcontinental railroad photograph—this time including the descendants of the Chinese laborers who built the railroad. The new photo depicted the group with outstretched arms between two trains, symbolizing, in more ways than one, the joining of East and West. For Lee, this restaging was his way to realize what he called “photographic justice,” explaining, “Some people would say we’re reclaiming Chinese-American history. In actuality, we’re reclaiming American history.”

Lee’s commitment to amplifying AAPI voices and preserving their history through photography made him a significant figure in the Asian American civil rights movement. His legacy continues to inspire generations of AAPI activists and artists to advocate for social justice, equality, and visibility in the broader American narrative.

For more information on Corky Lee’s legacy and work, visit www.CorkyLee.org

Watch the PBS Short, ‘Dear Corky’.

We are proud to share that our project has received the full support of Corky Lee’s estate.