Show pays tribute to Chinese workers' contribution to US railroad

SAN FRANCISCO - An oil painting depicting three Chinese workers in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) clothing and hairstyles, and working on a rocky cliff attracted Martha Davis' attention at a recent exhibition. Davis, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, and her friend lingered in front of the painting.

"It (the painting) brings out the spirit of those workers," says Davis.

The exhibition, The Backbone of the Sleeper, was organized by the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project, a nonprofit group that aims to promote, educate and preserve Chinese-American history and culture in Santa Clara County in the US state of California. The exhibition has assembled 25 oil and traditional Chinese paintings created by Chinese and local artists.