All photos: Courtesy of Jeff Chinn

Late last year, I had the opportunity to chat with Jeff Chinn, one of the world’s leading Bruce Lee collectors about his contribution to a Bruce Lee installation at the illustrious Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (see Jeff Chinn on the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Bruce Lee Exhibit). Truth be told, I had reached out to Jeff about the WE ARE BRUCE LEE: Under the Sky, One Family exhibit coming to the Chinese Historical Society of America (CHSA), in San Francisco Chinatown, the birthplace of Bruce Lee. Jeff happened to be involved with the Academy installation and that was worthy of a story on its own.

I’m currently serving on the Programs Committee for CHSA, but this role began after We Are Bruce Lee planning was well underway. Given that this is San Francisco, and KungFuMagazine is based in the SF Bay Area, I would’ve covered this regardless. However, since I became involved with CHSA, I’ve been privy to the behind-the-scenes perspective on this exhibit, and it’s been so educational and inspiring to watch it come together from the inside. CHSA’s Executive Director Justin Hoover is a longtime Kung Fu practitioner, so we’ve hit it off quite well. He gave me a personal peek and some of the items going on display and I’m honored to be a part of honoring the legend that is Bruce Lee.

But back to Jeff, we first met face-to-face at another Bruce Lee exhibit in SF’s Chinatown – Bruce Lee: A Retrospective (see Honoring Bruce.) That was so long ago – almost a quarter century – so it’s been a delight to reconnect. Jeff shared some insights about his involvement with this project, as well as what it’s like to own a world-renowned Bruce Lee collection.

GC: Tell us about some of the previous exhibits that you have been involved with recently.

JC:  Since 1998, I have been involved with over twenty Bruce Lee exhibits. Some of the more notable ones were with Asian Art Museum, Chinese Culture Center, Wing Luke Museum, Warner Bros. Studios, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Academy Museum, and the Smithsonian. As one of the foremost Bruce Lee collectors in the world, I use my collection to keep his memory alive. Exhibitions are the perfect way to achieve this.

GC: What was one of the most influential Bruce Lee exhibitions for you?

JC: Personally, it was my four-year exhibition at Hong Kong Heritage Museum. Bruce Lee “helped” me during the darkest period of my young life. As a result, I promised him that I would keep his memory alive any way I can. That’s why I’m continuing to do what I’m doing now. The HKHM exhibition not only featured key parts of my collection, but also shared my personal story and journey. The exhibition was in a large section of the museum called “The Collector’s Corner”. The Collector’s Corner was originally intended to feature a different Bruce Lee collector each year. Since my exhibition proved to be so popular and inspirational, it was extended to four years! The exhibit was highlighted as, “A Collection of Insights, Memories and Pride”.

GC: How might this exhibit be different than what you’ve participated in previously?

JC: The WE ARE BRUCE LEE exhibition will be at Chinese Historical Society Museum in San Francisco Chinatown, the birthplace of Bruce Lee! The majority of exhibitions I’ve done in the past have not been local. For me it is mandatory that I give tours at these exhibitions, but it is difficult when the museums are far away and even overseas. The WE ARE BRUCE LEE exhibition will be in my own backyard so to speak and I will have plenty of chances to give tours. Being retired also helps immensely!

GC: How did you get involved with CHSA?

JC: I am a firm believer in the saying, “if you build it, they will come”. I’ve been building my Bruce Lee collection since 1972 at the age of 11 and have created my own personal museum called The Bruce Lee Room in 1991. The fact that I live in San Francisco made it was a no brainer! CHSA is in San Francisco Chinatown.

GC: What do you hope to bring that’s fresh to this CHSA exhibit?

JC: Besides the obvious displays of Bruce’s legacy in the San Francisco Bay Area, we will examine Bruce Lee’s different personas – visionary, athlete, thinker, and unifier. Visitors will gain a rich, more in-depth understanding of a man whose influence extends well beyond movies and television shows.

GC: If you can imagine someone who has never heard of Bruce Lee, what would you say to entice them to come to this exhibit?

JC: I would entice them by making them curious as to WHY Bruce Lee is the most famous Chinese American in the entire world. WE ARE BRUCE LEE will explain why. I always challenge people to name a more famous Chinese American.

GC: Being San Franciscan, the CHSA exhibit is close to home. How do you feel about that?

JC: I’ve observed many times that Bruce’s SF Bay Area legacy seems to be left out of his biographies. It’s the usual, “Bruce Lee was born in San Francisco, BUT he was raised in Hong Kong” “Bruce Lee came back to live in San Francisco in 1959, BUT he moved to Seattle” “Bruce Lee moved from Seattle to Los Angeles to do THE GREEN HORNET (completely skipping the three years he lived in Oakland, CA)”.

GC: Bruce Lee’s SF Bay Area history was very important in shaping his legend. How has the pandemic affected this exhibit?

JC: CHSA had originally planned to open the WE ARE BRUCE LEE exhibition in November 2020 for Bruce’s milestone 80th birthday. Hopefully the new April 2022 opening date will not be affected.

GC: How has the Stop Asian Hate movement affected this exhibit?

JC: One of Bruce Lee’s famous quotes was, “Under the sky, under the heavens, there is but one family. It just so happens that people are different.” We hope our exhibition will help with bringing people together and understanding one another. Hate comes a place of ignorance. Sometimes it feels like people are actually not divided, it’s more like we’re just not together. Bruce Lee was a unique individual who transcended race and brought people together.

GC: Why do you think Bruce is still so relevant today?

JC: Bruce Lee’s classic films, his revolutionary martial arts, his timeless philosophy, his inspiring life story stands the test of time. He has gained the respect of people from around the world. There will never be another Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee was one in a billion!

GC: What’s next for you regarding your Bruce Lee collection?

JC: At this point in my life, I get excited receiving the next email, phone call, letter, or text regarding a new Bruce Lee project. Since I made a promise to keep his memory alive, I take this responsibility very seriously. I have been truly blessed as the luckiest Bruce Lee fan in the world!