Traveling through New York and the world, Tseng Kwong Chi inserted himself into stereotypically touristic sites, from the Eiffel Tower to Niagara Falls, ricocheting between nature and culture to develop a series of self portraits. The series, entitled the Expeditionary series or East Meets West, critically explores the nature of tourism and touristic photography as well as cultural and political identity.

He was also an integral part of the East Village art scene of the 1980s, along with close friends Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf and Ann Magnuson. Tseng Kwong Chi created performance-art pieces that captured the verve and energy of young artists in clubs, streets, and studios. He became Haring's official documentarian, creating over 50, 000 slides of his subway drawings and public art commissions.

Awarded the 1999 "Bessie", New York Dance and Performance Award - Best Production