Fishes of Saltwater City
Public mural
In collaboration with Smokey D, Comohombre, KWAMKWAMGALIS Jason Taylor, and Míkw'achi7m Marissa Nahanne
Lane way west-facing wall of 217 E Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC
2023

In Chinese language, “Fish 魚” carries an auspicious meaning as it symbolizes prolific life and prosperity. Historically, the Vancouver Chinese community has referred to Vancouver by “Saltwater City”, a name passed down by Chinatown’s earliest settlers. Respecting the area’s diverse communities and histories, Bagua sought to collaborate with artists from the various communities. Each artist was invited to create a fish to represent the strength and collaborative power of our communities. Metaphorically, the fishes are all the settlers that are embraced in the host first nation’s water body.

Collaborating artists are Smokey D (whose street art act as the ‘DTES News Paper’ for many who don’t have regular access to social media and current events, bringing awareness and advocacy for DTES), Comohombre (1st generation Afro-Hispanic artist born and primarily raised in the Hogan’s Alley, who also actively volunteers at the Vancouver Black Library), and KWAMKWAMGALIS Jason Taylor (Kwakwaka’wakw artist, who decends from the Namgis, Tlowitsis and Mamtagila tribes of Northern Vancouver Island).

We are humbled to have artist Míkw'achi7m Marissa Nahanne of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh & Nisg̱a’a Nations design the traditional Coast Salish weaving motif for water, which we gratefully incorporated into the frame of the artwork.

This project is produced by Vancouver Moving Theatre and Vancouver Chinatown Generations Society, and funded by City of Vancouver - Chinatown Transformation Team, City of Vancouver - Communities and Artists Shifting Culture, and David Lam Centre.