Poster House Artist in Residence Christina Young: Celebrating Chinatown

When I was selected for Poster House’s artist residency to create a campaign celebrating Chinatown, I felt deeply honored and excited.

I’m an artist and small business owner creating works inspired by my Chinese and New York roots under my brand, The Bao Bae.

In 2021, I participated in my first pop up shop at Canal Street Market alongside over 20 local Asian-owned businesses. It was the first time the Market had been open since the pandemic and Chinatown had been struggling to attract the foot traffic it once had. But for this special event, I witnessed the community come together and show great support. Since then, I’ve viewed the streets of Chinatown with a new perspective.

For my residency project, “Let’s Make Memories in Chinatown”, I knew I wanted to highlight the many small businesses that call Chinatown home. They’re a vital part of what makes this neighborhood so unique and its community so strong.

I sent out a survey asking people about their favorite places to eat, drink, shop, and hang out in Chinatown. Based on the responses, I compiled a map of over 100 locations including restaurants, cafes, stores, supermarkets, arcades, parks, and more. I then illustrated over 35 of these landmarks to create my poster design.

I also drew inspiration from my own childhood memories — riding the van from Flushing (where I grew up) to Chinatown, buying lychee at the fruit stalls on Mulberry Street, getting a bag of 鷄蛋仔 (HK egg waffles) from the street cart, picking out my first pair of glasses, and following the lion dancers as they moved through the streets on Lunar New Year, blessing storefronts with good luck.

It’s unfortunate that many places from our childhood were forced to close during the pandemic, but it’s important to remember the city is constantly evolving and the spirit of Chinatown remains strong. Historic Doyers Street, an old, narrow road, is now a pedestrian haven with a 4800 sq ft mural spanning the entire street, curving from Pell Street to Bowery. 250 paper lanterns light up Mott Street from Canal to Bayard with a warm glow. Stores like Yu & Me Books are amplifying Asian voices. New restaurants like Uncle Lou are cooking up old-school Cantonese classics. And of course, many iconic establishments are still around to enjoy including Bo Ky restaurant on Bayard Street, K.K. Discount Store selling housewares on Mulberry Street, and Wing On Wo & Co. with their beautiful selection of porcelain on Mott Street.

When you see my poster, I hope it encourages you to take a trip to Chinatown and support these cherished businesses, discover new favorite spots, and create lasting memories that continue Chinatown’s legacy.