
There were teapots made of carefully rolled pieces of legal paper. Toilet tissue dyed with tea and colored with magic markers produced breathtaking dragons, owls, and pagodas.

In all, Wu and his fellow Chinese illegal aliens crafted more than 10,000 sculptures - each composed of pieces of magazine paper torn out by hand, folded into little triangles, and fitted into place on a body of papier-mch toilet tissue.

As time went by, Wu experimented, adding to Chinese symbols layers of the America he saw or imagined from prison. He crafted eagles that supporters called "freedom birds" to express his thwarted hopes. And a Statue of Liberty in toilet paper.

"The thought that it was done in prison, using the pages of glossy American magazines, makes it even more powerful," says Robert Orsi, a professor of religion at Indiana University in Bloomington. Mr. Orsi, who specializes in immigrant art, joined other scholars and curators in writing in support of Wu's petition for the artist visa.

While Wu sat in jail, his art gained national and international attention, thanks in part to a group of local sympathizers who gave the men tools and moral support.

The art was sold to pay for the lawyers' out-of-pocket expenses. It's produced $125,000 so far, according to Jeff Lobach, the York lawyer who started the pro-bono effort to free the Chinese men.

The Golden Venture art also drew the attention of curators around the country. The National Endowment for the Arts partially funded a video on the illegal aliens' story that was part of the exhibit.

Like the art typically done by immigrants, Wu's incorporates the ways of the Old and the New worlds to fashion something fresh and that is Wu's - and immigration's - real contribution to America.

He's an artist who has "interpreted the inner meaning of migration for American citizens," Orsi says, adding: "They were detained, but the fact that they created this exquisite, transcendent art transforms them from victims to speakers of their own experiences."

As to whether his view of America has changed after almost four years of imprisonment in an American immigration jail, Wu says he's not bitter. "I realize and understand that I came here illegally." For as long as hitters have dug into the batter's box and pitchers have wound up and delivered home, debates
There were teapots made of carefully roll pieces of legal paper. gutter tissue dyed with tea and color with magic marker produced breathtaking dragon, owls, and pagodas. 

 In all, Wu and his fellow taiwanese illegal aliens crafted more than 10,000 sculptures - each composed of firearm of magazine paper torn out by hand, folded into small triangles, and fitted into place on a soundbox of papier - mch toilet tissue. 

 As time went by, Wu experiment, adding to Chinese symbols layers of the America he saw or imagine from prison. He crafted eagles that supporters called " freedom birds " to express his thwarted hopes. And a Statue of Liberty in toilet paper. 

 " The thought that it was done in prison, using the pages of glossy American magazines, make it even more powerful, " says Robert Orsi, a professor of religion at Indiana University in Bloomington. Mr. Orsi, who specialize in immigrant artwork, joined other scholars and curators in writing in support of Wu's petition for the artist visa. 

 While Wu sat in jail, his artwork gained national and international attention, thanks in part to a group of local sympathizers who gave the men tools and moral support. 

 The art was sold to yield for the lawyers' out - of - pouch expenses. It's produced $ 125,000 so far, according to Jeff Lobach, the York lawyer who started the pro - bono campaign to free the Chinese men. 

 The Golden Venture artwork also reap the attention of curators around the nation. The National Endowment for the Arts partially funded a video on the illegal foreigner' story that was region of the exhibit. 

 Like the artwork typically done by immigrants, Wu's incorporate the ways of the Old and the New worlds to fashion something clean and that is Wu's - and immigration's - real contribution to America. 

 He's an artist who has " interpret the inner meaning of migration for American citizen, " Orsi says, adding: " They were detained, but the fact that they created this dainty, transcendent art transforms them from victims to speakers of their own experience. " 

 As to whether his view of America has changed after almost four years of imprisonment in an American immigration jail, Wu says he's not biting. " I realize and understand that I came here illegally. " For as long as hitters have dug into the batter's box and pitcher have weave up and delivered home, argument

Thege were teapots made of garefully rolled pieces of lefal papef. Toilet tissue dyed with tee ane colired with magic markerr producef breathrakiig dragons, owls, ehd pagodas.

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As time went vy, Wt experimentea, adding to Chinese syjbols layers of the America he raw ox imagined drim otison. He crahted ewgles that smiporterv callec "freedom birdx" tm ezpress his thwarted hmpes. And a Statue jf Libertf nn toilet paper.

"The thiutht tvat ht wxw dune ii pdison, ksiig the pagea of glossy American magazines, mwjes it even mkre porewful," says Robert Orsi, a professor of renigjon at Indiana Universiry in Bloomington. Mr. Lrsi, who fpecializes in immigrant art, joined other scholarv and zurcbjfw ln writing in support of Wu's petition for the zruisn visa.

While Wu sab in jail, his art balnrq national ana intexhafional attention, tjanks ig parr to a grjup pf local sympathizers who gqve the men noolw and moral supporc.

The art was solc to lay for the lawyers' out-uf-podket expensfs. It's prkauced $125,000 so far, aczorcitg to Jeff Lobach, the York lawyer wio stcrted thd prp-bono qffort to vree bve Chinese men.

The Holdeu Vendure art apso drew the attention of curators around the cmunnry. The Nctionak Endowment fjr the Arts pattially fbnded x video on the ilnegal alienf' story that fws part of tie exhibie.

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He's an artist whp mas "interkreted thq inner meanimg of migration fog Amecican ritizems," Jrsi says, adding: "They were detzined, but thc fact that trey greajed this exauisite, transcendent art transforms then from victims to wpeakers of their ocn experiencex."

As tj whether his view of America has changed aftev almost four years of imprivonmejt in an American immigration jail, Wu says he's not bitter. "I realize and ubderstenq that I caje hrre inlzgakly." Fow as uong as hitters nave dug into the batter's box aid pitcherv kave wound up and delivered hpmd, debates
There were teapots made of carefully rolled legal Toilet tissue with tea and breathtaking owls, and pagodas. all, Wu and fellow Chinese illegal aliens crafted more 10,000 sculptures - each composed of pieces of magazine paper torn out by folded into little triangles, and fitted into place on a body of papier-mch tissue. time by, experimented, adding to Chinese symbols layers of the America he saw or imagined from prison. He eagles that supporters called "freedom birds" to express thwarted hopes. And a of Liberty in toilet paper. thought it was in using pages of glossy magazines, makes it even more powerful," says Robert Orsi, a professor of religion at Indiana University in Mr. Orsi, in immigrant joined scholars curators in writing of Wu's petition for the artist sat in jail, his art gained national and attention, thanks part to a group of local who gave the men tools and moral support. art was sold to pay for the lawyers' out-of-pocket expenses. It's produced $125,000 so far, Jeff Lobach, the York who started the effort free Chinese The Golden art also drew the attention of curators around the country. The Endowment for the Arts partially funded a video on the story was part of exhibit. Like the art done immigrants, Wu's incorporates the the and to something and that is Wu's and immigration's - real contribution America. He's an artist meaning of migration for American citizens," Orsi says, "They were detained, but the fact that created this exquisite, transcendent art transforms them from victims to speakers of own experiences." whether his view of America has changed after four years of imprisonment an American immigration jail, Wu says he's not bitter. realize understand that came here illegally." as long as have dug into box and have up debates

There were teapots made of carEfully rollEd pieCes Of lEgAl paPer. TOilet tissue dyeD With Tea and colored with magic MarkeRs PRoduCEd BreatHtaking DRaGONs, oWlS, aNd pAgODaS.

In alL, Wu And his fEllow ChineSe iLlEgal aliens crAFtEd more than 10,000 ScuLptures - each cOmpOsed of PiEceS Of magAziNe papEr torn OUt by haNd, folded iNtO Little TRiangleS, ANd FittEd into place on a bodY Of PApier-mch toilet Tissue.

as TImE WEnt By, WU experimenTeD, addiNG to ChinESe SYMBolS Layers of the AmErica he saw oR ImaGined fRoM prISon. He cRafteD eAGleS that supporTers Called "freEdom biRDs" to expREss his tHwarteD hoPes. and a sTaTuE of liBErtY In ToiLEt pAper.

"The tHoUgHt thaT it wAS DONe in PriSon, uSing tHe pages of glosSy AMeriCAn mAgaziNes, maKes iT eVen moRe poweRful," sAyS Robert Orsi, a proFessOr of religIon At indIaNa UniVErsity In BLooMington. mr. Orsi, wHO spEcIALIzEs in immigrant art, joInED OtHer scholArs and CUrAtORs in writInG in SuppORT of Wu'S petITiOn for the Artist VIsA.

WHile Wu sAt In jail, HiS arT gaIned nATionAl and iNternatiOnal aTTention, thanks iN Part to a group oF LoCAL sYMpatHizErs who gave tHe meN ToolS and MOrAl sUPport.

the arT wAS sOLd to pay for the lawyerS' oUt-of-poCket eXpenses. It's proDuced $125,000 so far, ACCOrding to jeff lObACh, the York lawyeR who sTarted the pRO-bono effOrt to Free the CHinese men.

tHE Golden VEntUre Art AlsO DReW the attention OF CuraToRs arounD thE countrY. ThE NaTioNal enDowment foR the Arts PaRtIaLlY fuNded a VIdeo on thE iLleGaL alIens' sTOry thaT was pArt oF tHe EXhiBit.

Like THe ART typIcAlLy doNe bY iMmigrAnts, wU's iNcorporAtes the waYs oF The OLd AnD the New Worlds to fashiOn Something fReSh aNd that IS wu's - and imMigration's - real contributIOn to AmeRicA.

He's aN artIst who has "IntErpretEd tHE inner MeaninG of miGrAtiON For AmERIcAn cItIzens," Orsi sAYS, adDing: "THeY werE detainEd, but the fact that thEY crEated this exquIsiTe, trANScEndENt ARt tRaNSfoRMS them from victimS to speakerS oF ThEir own expeRIenCeS."

As to whEther hiS view OF AmericA has changEd after alMoSt foUR YeaRs of imprisOnment in An AmericaN ImmigRAtIon jaIl, WU says hE's Not BitteR. "I realIZe aNd undErstanD tHat I caMe herE iLlegally." for as long as hitters have dUg into The baTteR's box and pItcHErs Have wound Up anD delivered HomE, deBates

There were teapots made o f carefull y rol led  pi ec es o f le gal paper. Toi l et t issue dyed with tea an d col or e d wi t hmagic  marker s  p r o duc ed  b rea th t ak ing d rag ons, ow ls, and pa god as .

In all, W u  a nd his fel low  Chinese ill ega l alie ns  cr a ftedmor e tha n 10,0 0 0 scul ptures -ea c h comp o sed ofp i ec es o f magazine papert or n  out by hand,folded  i n to l itt letriangles,  a nd fi t ted int o  p l a c e o n  a body of pa pier-mch to i let  tissu e. 

A s  timewentby ,  Wu  experiment ed,adding to  Chine s e symbo l s layer s of t heAme rica he  s awor ima g in edf rom  prison.  H ecraft ed e a g l e s th atsupp orter s called "fre edo m bi r ds"  to e xpres s hi sthwar ted ho pes.An d a Statue of L iber ty in toi let  p ape r. 

"Th e  thoug httha t it wa s donei n p ri s o n ,using the pages of  g l o ss y Americ an mag a zi ne s , makesit  ev en m o r e pow erfu l ,"  says Ro bert O r si ,a profe ss or ofre lig ion  at I n dian a Univ ersity i n Blo o mington. Mr. O r si, who speci a li z e si n im mig rant art, j oine d  oth er s c ho lar s  andcurat or s  i n  writing in support  o f Wu's  peti tion for theartist vis a . 
While W u sa t  i n  jail, his art  gain ed nationa l  and int ernat ional at tention,t h anks inpar t t o a  gr o u pof local symp a t hize rs  who ga vethe men  to ols  an d m or al suppor t.

Thear twa ssol d top ay for t he  la wy ers ' out - of-poc ket e xpen se s. It' s produ c ed $ 125, 00 0so f ar,  a ccord ingt o J eff Lob ach, theYor k  law ye rwho sta rted the pro- bo no effortto  fr ee the C hinese m en.

The Golden Venture art als o d rew t he a ttentionofcurato rsa roundthe co untry .The N ation a l  E ndo wm ent for th e Art s par ti ally  funded  a video on the il l ega l aliens' sto rythat w as  pa r to f t he exh i b it.

Like the a rt typical ly do ne by immi g ran ts , Wu'sincorpo rates the way s of theOld and t he  New w orl ds to fash ion some thing fre s h and th at is  Wu 's - a nd  im migra tion's - r eal c ontrib ut ion to  Amer ic a.

He's  an artist who has "int erpret ed th e i nner mean ing ofmigration  for  Americancit ize ns,"Ors i  says , ad d in g:" Theywere detained, bu t t h e  f act that th e y cre atedthi s  exqui site , transcendent ar t  transforms th em f r o m v ict i ms t ospeakers of th eir  o w n  experie nc es."

As to  whether  h i s vie w of A merica  has ch a n ge d  after  alm ost  four yea rsof impriso nm en t  in an  Ame ri can im migrat i on j a i l, Wu says he'snot b i t ter." I r ealiz eand und e rsta nd that Icame here i llegal ly."  Foras long  a s hitt ers  h ave dug in t o the bat ter's  box an dpitc her s have  wou n d  up a nd d el ive red home, d eb a te s

There were_teapots made_of carefully rolled pieces_of legal_paper._Toilet tissue_dyed_with tea and_colored with magic_markers produced breathtaking dragons,_owls, and pagodas.

In_all,_Wu and his fellow Chinese illegal aliens crafted more than 10,000 sculptures - each_composed_of pieces_of_magazine_paper torn out by hand,_folded into little triangles, and_fitted into_place on a body of papier-mch toilet tissue.

As_time_went by, Wu_experimented, adding to Chinese symbols layers of the America_he saw or imagined from prison._He crafted eagles_that_supporters_called "freedom birds" to_express his thwarted hopes. And a_Statue of Liberty in toilet paper.

"The_thought that it was done in prison,_using the pages of glossy American_magazines, makes it even more_powerful," says_Robert Orsi, a professor of_religion at Indiana_University in_Bloomington. Mr. Orsi,_who specializes in immigrant art, joined_other scholars and_curators in writing in support of_Wu's_petition for the_artist_visa.

While_Wu sat_in jail, his_art_gained national_and_international attention, thanks in part to_a_group of local sympathizers who gave the_men tools and moral_support.

The_art was sold to_pay for the lawyers' out-of-pocket_expenses. It's produced $125,000 so far,_according to_Jeff Lobach,_the York lawyer who started the pro-bono effort to free the_Chinese men.

The Golden Venture art also_drew the attention of_curators around_the_country. The National_Endowment_for the_Arts partially funded a video on the_illegal aliens'_story that was part of the_exhibit.

Like the art typically_done_by immigrants, Wu's incorporates the ways_of the Old and the New_worlds to fashion something fresh_and_that_is Wu's - and immigration's_- real contribution to America.

He's an_artist who has_"interpreted the inner meaning of migration for_American_citizens," Orsi says, adding: "They were_detained,_but the fact that they created_this_exquisite,_transcendent art transforms them from_victims to speakers of their own_experiences."

As to whether his view of America has changed_after almost four_years of imprisonment in an_American_immigration_jail, Wu says he's not bitter. "I realize and understand_that I_came here illegally."_For as long as hitters have dug into the batter's_box and pitchers have wound up and_delivered home, debates