New mural in Vancouver's Chinatown aims to help spark area's revitalization
CBC
A new mural in the heart of Vancouver's Chinatown is part of a growing effort to revitalize the neighbourhood, according to the artist.
The mural, called Fu Lu Shou Xi, has been painted on the shutters of the Ten Ren Tea shop at the intersection of Main and Pender streets.
It was painted by Chinese-Canadian artist Carolyn Wong and features depictions of oxen, deer, cranes and peonies, with the artist saying she is often inspired by nature.
Wong told CBC News the mural was her take on the phrase "fu lu shou xi" (福禄寿喜), a traditional Chinese blessing often said at celebrations.
"It is meant to be a message of … positivity, prosperity and wealth and longevity toward the Chinatown community," she said.
"It's a message that there is a lot to celebrate behind the rough exterior that you might see when you walk by."
The mural is the first in a new initiative by the Chinatown Business Improvement Association and the Vancouver Mural Festival dubbed the Chinatown Mural Project.
It comes amid concerns from business owners and community members around vandalism and petty crime in the historic district.
"The local community, they're great. The Chinese community, they're like, honestly, some of the most generous and kind people," Wong said.
"As more potential murals come up, people might change their mind, hopefully, and see the bright side of things in the Chinatown neighbourhood."
Wong said she was initially nervous about painting on site in Chinatown, but the support she got from the locals was "wonderful," and they were very appreciative and excited about her work.
The different panels of Wong's artwork represent each word in the phrase "fu lu shou xi."
"Fu," a blessing of good fortune, is represented by the ox, while "lu," a blessing of wealth, is represented by the gold bar the ox is carrying.
"Shou" is a blessing of longevity, represented by the crane, and "xi," a blessing of happiness, is represented by the peony.
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