BELONGING (2024)

Client: Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House
Location: Sunrise Welcome Place, 2724 E Hastings St, Vancouver, BC
Dimensions: 30’ Height x 40’ Width

This mural began with 4 community engagement sessions centering discussions of Anti-Racism, Multiculturalism and Belonging. For 6 months, we worked with newcomers, Frog Hollow, and the local community. I drew inspiration from these sessions to create 3 concept designs. We shared them with the community, seeking votes and suggestions. After over 100 enthusiastic responses to online and in-person surveys at Frog Hollow, Sunrise Welcome Place (SWP) and community events, 1 design emerged as the winner. I refined the chosen design, "Growing Roots", based on community feedback.

It takes time and effort to cultivate life in a new place — to uproot and restart. During our engagement sessions, and through my own immigrant experience, I've seen how much work it takes to rebuild a life on new soil. I want to depict this journey on both an individual level and a greater community level. This design uses trees as metaphor for our growth. Each newcomer holds up a sapling. In time, it will take root and grow. Together, we will make a forest.

Vancouver as a city is known for having a lot of trees. They add vibrancy and health to our urban environment. Some of the most popular species of trees here come from all over the world. In biology the term is “introduced species”, also known as “immigrant species”. There are parallels with Canada welcoming newcomers, and immigrants establishing ourselves as a part of the locale. Each immigrant, each sapling, will retain their heritage and culture while growing — taking root in their new home, while also flourishing in their new environment.

I painted this mural with the support of assisting painters from youth and newcomers groups at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House.