Mary Ko Bong

Mary Ko Bong, 2017, screen printed accordion book, 7.5” x 5.5” x 0.5”

A book created as part of my solo exhibition, After Gold Mountain, at the Worker Arts and Heritage Centre, Hamilton, Ontario. This artist book was inspired by a taped interview found on the Canada Veteran affairs archives. Growing up a devout Christian in Victoria, BC, Mary attended a segregated school. She was an independent spirit who enlisted in the army (1943) before both her brothers. She worked as an instrument mechanic; she was trained in Barrie Field, Hamilton, ON where she learned how to operate a lathe. Mary also was also classically trained in singing and dancing jazz. She entertained the troops as well. After her military service, she trained in horology: watchmaking. Mary was the first Chinese woman to graduate from this program. She passed away in 2011 in Toronto. She will always be remember a strong willed, independent spirit.

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