Chinatown Vancouver

Donna Seto’s breathtaking visuals tell an undeniable story of the distinct cultural heritage of Vancouver’s Chinatown. 

Ever fraught and under threat of displacement, Chinatown has long been a space moulded and targeted by racial discrimination and segregation. But, for those who live and work there, it has also been a space of refuge, cultural vitality and thriving political activism. Framed around more than 70 stunning illustrations of historical buildings, Chinatown Vancouver tells the stories of the people who brought life to the iconic neighbourhood, offering a provocative look into community histories of silence, reconciliation and resilience. 

More than just accompanying visuals, Seto’s illustrations form a striking archive of memories of a Chinatown both past and present. Though many of the shops, businesses and restaurants no longer exist — or else have moved from their original locations — they’re given new life in whimsical watercolour. Nostalgic and lovingly composed, these images, paired with interviews with local residents, capture the heart of a community. 

Seto’s book asks us to see Chinatown differently. The fight to preserve this community isn’t just about its buildings, it’s also about those places where people care for one another.