In this commissioned work the artist, Mian Situ, touches on a subject that is sincere to him -- the Chinese experience and contributions made in building the American West. The painting is a narrative that describes an American success story, beginning with the sacrifices Sam Wo made by arriving in San Francisco as an immigrant from China and building a renowned and much-beloved restaurant in San Francisco's historic Chinatown. Wo's influence on future generations is represented by his grandson who stands at his right side. The Ford Edsel car in the foreground symbolizes the restaurant's most popular server, Edsel Ford Fong, famously known as the "world's rudest waiter", which was a part of the unique experience at Sam Wo's restaurant and in the community.
"This painting is an important representative of our American culture."
--Elaine Adams
Director, American Legacy Fine Arts
