Series I: Artistic Works, 1965-2014, inclusive; 1970-2011, bulk

This sub-series contains a wide range of materials that document Ming Fay's conceptual artistic practice. Major public arts commissions prominently documented in this series include Delancey Orchard and Shad Crossing, located in the Delancey/Essex Subway Station (commissioned by New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority); Whitehall Crossing, located in the Whitehall Ferry Terminal of the Staten Island Ferry (commissioned by NYC's Cultural Affairs Department); Spiral Ears, located in the Philadelphia Criminal Justice Center (commissioned by Percent for Art); Leaf Gate, Keys Flight, Seed of Elm, The Spirit of the Elm, Elm in Bloom, Sprouting Buds, located at P.S. 7 in Elmhurst, Queens (commissioned by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs); and Goldenrain Pier, in Flushing Queens (commissioned by the NYC Economic Development Corporation). Materials related to these public art commissions include architectural blueprints; project proposals, including draft drawings, budgets, and research materials; photographs; and press about the public artworks.

This subseries focuses on Fay's many exhibitions both in the United States and internationally. Examples of exhibitions that are prominently documented in this sub-series include: Nature Reborn: Archaeology to Science Fiction, Images from Beyond, Qian & Bao, Ming Fay: Recent Works, ORIENTations: Works of Eight Chinese-American Artists, Fabricated Nature, A Feast for the Eyes, and Floating Reeds. These exhibition materials document examples of Fay's fruit, nut, and hanging garden sculptures that have appeared in numerous solo and group shows. Materials in this sub-series include press coverage in the form of clippings, reviews, and press releases; photographs of exhibitions, studio spaces, and individual works; and exhibition announcements, promotional materials, and posters.

This sub-series contains materials that inspired Fay's work. These art source materials and subject files include photographs of other mosaic artworks that inspired Delancey Orchard and Shad Crossing, images of various leaf types that influenced Leaf Gate; documents on tai chi that informed his nature sculptures — some of which evolved into human-like figures performing slow tai chi–like movements; and other clippings that influenced his works. This sub-series also includes many examples of mostly untitled sketches, drawings, paintings, and calligraphy done on various types of paper -- all of which reflect Fay's creative process. Finally, Fay lent his creative expertise to some performance groups, helping to design sets. Materials related to those performances are also found in this sub-series.