Tag Archives: China Town

Harmonious Interest: A Celebration of Victoria’s Chinese Heritage

Robert Amos, Untitled (Victoria's Chinatown) [detail]
Robert Amos, Untitled (Victoria’s Chinatown) [detail]

February 1 – May 13, 2013

Legacy Maltwood (at Mearns Centre – McPherson Library)

Curated by Caroline Riedel and Margaret Weller

Harmonious Interest draws on the archival and artistic holdings of the university with a selection of material from the Consolidated Chinese Benevolent Association. This association, founded in 1884, is a key community anchor and advocate for the Chinese in Victoria. Other important social, religious and cultural organizations such as the Chinese Freemasons Association (1876), the Tam Kung Temple of the Yen Wo Society (1911) and the Chinese Public School (1899) are represented in photographic collages by artist Robert Amos.

The important work of Dr. David Lai (Geography, UVic), known for his role in the revitalization of the buildings of China town and the Gates of Harmonious Interest, as well as other scholarly studies on Chinese communities in British Columbia are also referenced. As a whole, this exhibition is intended to show the role of some of these key organizations in community building and advocacy for Chinese people in Canada.

This exhibition was produced as part of the Victoria Symphony’s Chinatown Celebration project.

Similar Exhibitions:

Inside Chinatown: Paintings by Robert Amos

Robert Amos, Chinatown
Robert Amos, Chinatown

October 28, 2009 – January 17, 2010

Legacy Small Gallery

The Legacy Art Gallery and Café presents Inside Chinatown: Paintings by Robert Amos. The exhibition showcases 20 original paintings of the fascinating interiors of Victoria’s Chinatown.

Victoria’s Chinatown is Canada’s oldest Chinese neighbourhood, second only to San Francisco in North America, and has a lineage unbroken since 1858. Original artwork from Robert Amos will take you behind the doors of the 29 private clubs that make up the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association. You’ll see the gilded altars, antique art and ornate furniture that grace these meeting halls.

Amos’ new book Inside Chinatown (co-authored by Kileasa Wong, TouchWood Editions) will be available for sale at the Legacy’s gift shop.

Similar Exhibitions

Inside Chinatown

October 17 – November 5, 2000

Legacy Maltwood (at Mearns Centre – McPherson Library)

A series of paintings and photographs by Robert Amos that provide an inside look to Victoria’s Chinatown.

Attracted first to the elabroate and gilded shrines of the Chinese Public School and the Dart Coon Club, he went on to visit the Kung Fu Club and the Gum Sing Musical Society. Even those who know Victoria well have never seen it in such detail. This exhibition was a historic and artistic document.

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