After Gold Mountain

Solo exhibit: After Gold Mountain, Workers Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, May – August 2017.

The first Chinese labourers arrived in Canada in 1788. In 1858, gold was discovered in the Fraser Canyon, British Columbia and many Chinese from southern China arrived in hopes of striking it rich, finding gold and starting a new life on “Gold Mountain,” their name for Canada. From 1881-1885, Chinese rail workers endured appalling, dangerous work conditions and nearly 1000 men perished during the construction of the CPR. Life for Chinese workers after the railroad was characterized by hard work, and frequent discrimination. In After Gold Mountain, stories are told through a series of comic panels and screen printed accordion books. These powerful, personal and informative stories recount working conditions on the railroad, and in fish canneries, laundromats, restaurants and fruit markets from British Columbia to Ontario. While early Chinese labourers in Canada were predominately male, this exhibit also shares how women and children played a role in the landscape of work and overcame the hardships of racism.

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