Guide to the Bob Hsiang papers CEMA 108

Finding aid prepared by Mari Khasmanyan, 2016.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California, 93106-9010
Phone: (805) 893-3062
Email: special@library.ucsb.edu; URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/special-collections
2016 February 5


Title: Bob Hsiang papers
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 108
Contributing Institution: UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
Language of Material: English
Physical Description: 1.67 linear feet (1 oversize flat box)
Date (inclusive): 1969-1979
Abstract: Bob Hsiang is a Chinese-American photographer who is primarily active in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hsiang has over 30 years of experience in still photography, including work in the fields of special events, product photography, fine art reproduction, and studio portraiture. His career has spanned the areas of photojournalism, lifestyle, and editorial pieces. In this collection, Hsiang has captured 29 still photographs of various plays produced by the Asian American Theater Company from the late 60's to the late 70's.
Physical Location: Vault 1
Language of Materials: The collection is in English.
creator: Hsiang, Bob

Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Bob Hsiang papers, CEMA 108. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Bob Hsiang on February 15, 2006.

Processing Information

Processed by Mari Khasmanyan and Husna Sayedi, 2016.

Biography

Bob Hsiang is a second generation Chinese-American photojournalist originating from New York City. Hsiang's career as a photojournalist began in the 1960's when he attended the University at Buffalo in New York, from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. As a self-educated photographer, Hsiang became editor of the university newspaper and covered events relevant to the political protests of that time.
In 1974, Hsiang moved to San Francisco and began photographing for cultural and art organizations such as the Kearny Street Workshop and Asian American Theater Company, where he covered topics relating to Asian American awareness and the International Hotel struggle for low-income housing.
Hsiang continues to work as a freelance photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area, photographing for corporate, non-profit and art communities at studio locations and on location venues. As stated on his blog, his specialties are “working conventions or celebrations, theatrical and performance, head shots and portraiture, internet commerce products/artwork museum reproduction.”
Hsiang has over 30 years of experience in still photography, including work in the fields of special events, product photography, fine art reproduction, and studio portraiture. His career has spanned the areas of photojournalism, lifestyle, editorial and products and has been featured in numerous publications.

Scope and Content

Bob Hsiang is a Chinese-American photographer who is primarily active in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hsiang has over 30 years of experience in still photography, including work in the fields of special events, product photography, fine art reproduction, and studio portraiture. His career has spanned the areas of photojournalism, lifestyle, and editorial pieces. In this collection, Hsiang has captured 29 still photographs of various plays produced by the Asian American Theater Company from the late 60's to the late 70's.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Asian American theater--California--San Francisco
Asian Americans
Asian Americans--California
Asian Americans--California--Social conditions
Asian Americans--California--Social Life and Customs
Asian Americans--Songs and music
Photograph collections--California
Photographers
Photographs

Oversize 1

Photographs

 

1. Lane Nishikawa

 

2. Dance and the Railroad

 

3. Fresh off the Boat by David Henry Wang

 

4. Hollywood Mirrors 1975

Other Descriptive Information

An early play of the Asian American Theater Company
 

5. Once is Never Enough

Other Descriptive Information

Lane Nishikawa is in the background.
 

6. (title unknown)

Other Descriptive Information

From a play written by Rick Shiomi.
 

7. Yellow Fever by Rick Shiomi

 

8. (title unknown), possibly Hollywood Mirrors

 

9. (title unknown)

 

10. (title unknown), possibly Hollywood Mirrors

 

11. (title unknown)

Other Descriptive Information

Amy Hill is shown wearing shades in background of image.
 

12. (title unknown)

 

13. (title unknown)

 

14. (title unknown)

 

15. (title unknown)

 

16. (title unknown)

 

17. Tea

 

18. Tea

 

19. (title unknown)

 

20. Lo Foo and the Missing Artifact

 

21. (title unknown)

 

22. (title unknown)

 

23. Wood Moy in Chan is Missing

 

24. (title unknown)

 

25. (title unknown), possibly Yellow Fever by Rick Shiomi

 

26. Dream of Kitamura

 

27. Victor Wong in Dream of Kitamura

 

28. Dance and the Railroad

 

29. Shanghai, China 2006

Other Descriptive Information

Photograph is in its original frame. The frame is titled and signed by Bob Hsiang.