Name/Title
Chinatown, Victoria, B.C.Entry/Object ID
2016.04.06Description
Painting
This image depicts a row of multi-occupancy properties located in what is now Dragon Alley in Chinatown, Victoria, B.C., the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco's. Dragon Alley connects Fisgard and Herald streets. The alley itself is shown as a strong diagonal from lower left to right, with the building faces depicted in eye-catching red watercolour wash. Other larger components are also done in wash, with detail done with a technical pen in brown ink.Artwork Details
Medium
Watercolour and rapidograph on paperSubject Place
Region
Pacific NorthwestContinent
North AmericaContext
Victoria's Chinatown was once the major entry port for Asian immigration, mostly from southern China, to British North America, later Canada. From the late 1850s into the 1860s, it was the main entry point for thousands of Chinese miners, and others, heading to the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, the Cariboo and other B.C. goldfields in pursuit of their fortunes. Later in the 1880s, it was the main entry point for some 15,000 Chinese labourers who came to work on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Chinese citizens also immigrated over time by reason of famine and war back home, as well as family connections and new opportunity.
This Chinatown also served as an important gateway to the development of Chinese communities across Canada. From the late 1800s into the early 19th century, it was the largest Chinese settlement in the country and produced the earliest clan, language and social organizations and associations that helped to support new immigrants. New labourers arrived and goods, services and news from home were all supplied to the new Chinese communities across B.C. and beyond, along the Canadian Pacific Railway.
And, in spite of the implementation of the anti-Chinese Head Tax (in effect 1885-1923) and the Chinese Immigration [Exclusion] Act (in effect 1923-1947) and numerous other obstacles, Victoria's Chinatown continued its active efforts to challenge Chinese racism and segregation, and effect reform related to voting rights and immigration. It was the birthplace of many Chinese-Canadian leaders in politics and other sectors who engaged with and influenced Canadian political, business and social communities. In 2006, the Canadian federal government apologized for the head tax and its other racist immigration policies targeting Chinese people. In 2009, Canada paid financial compensation to around 800 Chinese Head Tax payers.
Like other neighborhoods, Victoria's Chinatown was, and continues to be, home to people of varied backgrounds, religious beliefs and political convictions.
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Victoria’s Chinatown was recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995.
"Victoria’s Chinatown is an identifiable neighbourhood of tightly built primarily two and three-storey mixed-use brick buildings in a three-block area of downtown Victoria, British Columbia. Focused on Fisgard Street, its interior is accessed by a distinctive layout of alleys and passageways. The cohesive grouping of buildings adapts standard forms found elsewhere in the city, decorated with flared temple-style roofs, inset and projecting wrought-iron balconies, interior courtyards and brightly hued tiled overhangs. A ceremonial entry arch [Gate of Harmonious Interest] was erected as part of a 1980s revitalization program. The official recognition refers to two nodes comprising some 33 buildings and the open spaces between them."
Extract from Canadian Register of Historic Places - See Web Links below.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
UnidentifiedRole
ArtistDate made
1981Time Period
20th CenturyInscription/Signature/Marks
Type
InscriptionLocation
Titled lower left: Chinatown, Victoria B.C.
Signed and dated lower right: Illegible signature '81Dimensions
Dimension Description
Visible imageHeight
24.1 cmWidth
31.8 cmAcquisition
Acquisition Method
PurchaseDate
2016Notes
Lunds Lot #7Relationships
Related Entries
Notes
2016.01.11 Chinatown [Victoria, B.C]
2016.04.06 Chinatown, Victoria, B.C.
![Gate of Harmonious Interest [entryway to Victoria's Chinatown, B.C.], 2018: From Wikimedia Commons, Trougnouf](https://d8e7jbdw4fu0e.cloudfront.net/5457/56fc3240-236d-11ee-bafa-95e1c9f13f47-vUVFEyZ.lg@2x.jpg)