Meet Janet Liu, Co-Curator of The Liu Guojun Virtual Museum
My paternal grandparents passed away when I was four. Memories of my grandpa feel like revisiting a hazy dream—I remember how I could never quite wrap my hands around his big round belly, the lingering scent of cigars on his clothes, and his consistent choice of wearing his leopard-spotted sunglasses, even in his dimly lit office. As for my grandma, my feelings toward her remained the same—she radiated kindness, gentleness, and warmth. Sadly, she passed away three months after my grandpa, leading us to believe that her passing was the result of a broken heart.
Wedding portrait of Liu Hanliang and his wife, Wang Tsuifen
Then, I grew up and ventured off to college, and my thoughts of my grandparents gradually faded from memory. It wasn’t a matter of forgetting them, but rather avoiding the fact that they left too soon for me to truly know them. Among the earliest vivid memories in my mind is the scene at my grandma’s funeral—witnessing my mom’s tears for the first time as she gently brushed my grandma’s gray hair in her casket. Since then, on a subconscious level, I tried to push away those emotions, finding the pain too unbearable.
It wasn’t until I returned to Hong Kong one day, sitting at my aunt’s table having breakfast and coffee, that I was unexpectedly handed a memory box. My aunt, with casual nonchalance, asked, “Hey, want to see something?” and unveiled an enormous box overflowing with my grandpa’s writings, sketchbooks, letters, receipts, old hotel notes, and photographs. There I was, staring at the mountain of mementos, shocked, confused, yet mesmerized by the sentimental treasures laid out before me.
As I sifted through stacks of photographs, a captivating narrative of my grandpa’s life unfolded. Holding a photo in one hand, I glimpsed my grandpa, sporting his iconic sunglasses, standing proudly next to a small plane. Another snapshot captured his infectious grin as he stood beside a beautiful lady. My aunt unveiled the tales of my grandpa’s rebellious spirit – not just navigating convertibles and motorcycles but also holding a pilot’s license. He earned the nickname “Billy the Kid” upon arriving in America, where, despite his limited English, he dated Miss Florida (who later became Miss USA).
A self-portrait of Liu Hanliang, drawn into his personal diary
I learned that as China opened its borders, he embarked on a three-month sea journey on a cargo ship, becoming one of the first Chinese men to study in America. Residing at the “Hotel Paris,” he pursued art at NYU, had an office at the Empire State Building, and even shared a dance with the renowned Soong sisters before finding love in my grandma. Each photograph revealed a chapter of his remarkable journey, depicting a life filled with adventure, resilience, and unexpected love stories.
My grandpa was fearless, effortlessly cool, indifferent to others’ opinions. He carried an innate determination to stand out from the crowd. A true artistic soul, he embraced the world as his canvas, sketching everything from sculptures and scenic landscapes to his travels to Brazil and Kenya. While he thrived on adventure, his core remained deeply rooted in family values. Every postcard and letter from his kids found a special place, alongside preserved mementos like restaurant menus and meticulously well-kept itineraries. His life painted a vivid portrait, blending bold individuality, artistic expression, and a profound love for his family.
Though my grandpa may have left us too soon, these cherished archives serve as the vessels that keep his spirit alive with me. It’s as though he is here, sitting beside me, personally sharing his stories over a cup of coffee. That evening, I returned home and approached my dad to see if he had more archives to share. To my surprise, he casually revealed piles of my grandpa’s old diaries. Puzzled, I questioned why I hadn’t seen these earlier. He shrugged and replied, “They’ve always been here. You just never asked.”
Family portrait of Liu Hanliang. In the back row, from left to right: Liu Hanliang’s eldest son, Liu Xuejin, Michael Nock, Liu Hanliang’s wife, Wang Tsuifeng, Liu Hanliang, Kwok Veng Sam, Lucy Liu. In the front row, from left to right: Liu Hanliang’s youngest son, James Liu, accompanied by Liu Hanliang’s grandchildren (Howard Liu, Camille Nock, Jason Liu, Janet Liu, Lucy Liu) and Liu Hanliang’s daughter, Nancy Liu.
Photographs capturing Liu Guojun and his family
Since then, I’ve undertaken a mission to bring our cherished family heirlooms out of forgotten dusty boxes and preserve them online. Fortunately, my grandpa, a memoirist, and my great-grandpa, a chronicler who weathered the tumultuous years in China, left behind a rich legacy. Their diaries, personal mementos, photographs, and art collections form a trove that will require years for translation and cataloging. Here I am, intermittently two years into the process and still diligently piecing together each precious item to safeguard our family’s legacy. Though the journey may be lengthy, let this be a humble beginning—a bridge connecting our future generations to the profound tales of our past.
