McGill University
EDER 600 // Globalization, Education & Change
The Global Threads of Chinatown:
Montreal, QC
Curatorial Statement
In the heart of Montreal you will find our very own Chinatown. Each photograph in this short series is acting as a visual narrative that weaves together the threads of my identity, family legacy, and the broader global presence of Chinatowns. This series isn't just a documentation of physical spaces but also as a reflection of personal and collective histories.
In the present, these photographs display a candid and personal portrayal of the urban landscape. the busy streets, vibrant markets, and the blending of tradition and modernity provide a glimpse into the current chapter of Montreal's Chinatown and its story.
I've incorporated the past version of these places using Google Street View , linked with each photograph. These digital windows allow us to look into the historical transformation of Chinatown. The contrast of past and present creates a dialogue between eras, displaying a visual narrative of urban evolution as the needs of the community also evolve (move forward or backwards in the timeline to see the changes and adjust the quality of the street view images).
As you explore each present photograph and linked historical Google Street View, you are also invited to look into the transformation of physical spaces, architectures, and the energy that defines Chinatown. The contrast forces us to reflect on the forces of change, resilience in the face of urbanization, and the enduring spirit that has shaped and reshaped this community, my community.
Additionally, it is also important to recognize the broader narrative that shapes Chinatowns globally. Chinatowns aren't just geographical spaces, they are a living testament to the resilience, fortitude, and cultural richness of Chinese (and Asian) communities across the world.
Chinatowns originated from the waves of Chinese migration typically in search for a better life, forming tight-knit communities that preserved their cultural identity, all while in an unfamiliar surrounding. Whether it was the war, the railroad construction to the exclusionary laws, each Chinatown tells a story of a community full of adversity and triumph.
The paifangs (gates) outside of China are found at the entrances of Chinatowns, which is what I recognize them best as. In Montreal's Chinatown, they are found at each end for a total of four, the most paifangs found in any Chinatown in Canada.
Growing up in the area I'm from, there weren't a lot of other people who looked like me, lived like me, spoke the same languages as me, etc. It was an odd and difficult feeling.
While being driven around as a child, I wouldn't know where we were going, so I would look out the windows. My family and I would pass around Chinatown and I'd recognize the paifangs from a distance away, and would immediately know that I'd be surrounded by people like me, who looked like me, lived like me, spoke the same language as me, and it'd feel like somewhere I belonged.
It's odd to see parts of Chinatown change. Areas that once were Asian family-owned businesses, have now transformed into hotels, condos, and "fusion" restaurants now take their place. I've seen this in other Chinatowns that I visit, slowly turning into less and less of a Chinatown that I recognize.
These statues found at the paifangs (gates) of Montreal's Chinatown are also known as "Dogs of Foo", lion-like guardian animals that guard and protect entrances
I was always curious about them as a kid and was never too sure why they were there. Such gorgeous looking statues. It felt like everywhere I went there they were, there we so many of them (two are found at each of Montreal's paifangs for a total of eight).
I would travel to other Chinatowns and also find these familiar faces. I never fully understood why, but I felt safe around them, as they continue to protect Chinatown.
Kim Fung Restaurant, found on the second floor of this small Asian mall that is connected to the condo building my grandparents had lived in. My family would enter Chinatown and park underneath the building, we'd go up this (sketchy) looking elevator and turn left down the hallway to my grandparents' condo. We would hang around for a little while but ultimately end up at the restaurant soon after.
There was a "secret" key (it was the normal fob that let us in and out of the building but I was a child) that unlocked a door that would connect us to the mall. We would go to this restaurant so often (even the owner knew us, and still do and I would always greet "boss uncle") for an early Dim Sum, a late lunch, or dinner. I'm sure most who go to Dim Sum share the same sentiment, but every time we would go, we would order the same exact dishes. To this day I will go back with friends and still order the same dishes without hesitation.
No matter where I travel to, if I need a taste of home, I'll find the closest Dim Sum restaurant and know that they will also have the exact same dishes I love to order.
(In street view, you'll see the restaurant's corner windows with the neon light sign of its name)
Within that same small mall that's connected to my grandparents' condo, most of the first floor of the complex was a commercial space. There was this Chinese butcher shop (a name that was only in Chinese, that I couldn't read) adjacent to a Hong Kong style restaurant (which is pictured and now called Dobe & Andy) that my family would go to and get fresh meats to bring upstairs to my grandparents' to have for dinner, or we would take some to go and bring it back home for later.
The smell of meat and food would hit you as soon as you opened the front door of the commercial space. I'd run right over to the stall and once I reached the glass display of meats I'd stare at the crispy pork, chachu pork, roasted duck and marinated chickens. I'd say hello to "uncle" the butcher with drool running down my face. I knew I'd be eating real good that night.
The butcher shop closed sometime over Covid-19.
(Click the button to see a photo of original stall, taken by user Francois212 on Tripadvisor.ca)
(The street view is of the front of the complex, where you'd have to walk up a small set of stairs to the left of the parkade, and into the glass double doors, and the stall is on the left, with "Dobe & Andy" on the right)
While Kim Fung was a family favorite and monthly staple for my family and I, we had also explored and ate at just about every single restaurant in Chinatown growing up.
Some of the restaurants would have these bright displays in their windows. I've only heard from my family who've been to Hong Kong before about the neon signs that would fill the air and light up the streets. I'm sure that this was the very intent, to bring a bit of this heritage over.
I've never been to Hong Kong before but these signs have always fascinated me as a child and I'm glad we have some here in Montreal, my own little glimpse of Hong Kong.
This restaurant has been around forever and has always looked the same. The only thing that's changed is the addition of this "Fantuan" deliver sign. I think it ruins the look personally.
(In street view, you'll have to look North, and on the right side North East side of the street, it's 4-5 businesses inwards)
Fortune cookies are of Japanese origin, and first started its modern version in America. So, they're not Chinese, just so you know.
"Wings" has, weirdly enough, has played a pretty important part of my life. Growing up my mom would offer to do a presentation on Lunar New Year for my elementary classes each and every year. She would talk about the origins, the zodiac animals, some traditions, and even taught my classmates how to play Mahjong. At the end of the presentation, we would hand out a hongbao (a red envelope that contained money, a penny in this case), and a fortune cookie. It was the part that all my friends would be most excited for (give us a break, we were kids), and to this day, they would still bring up these presentations.
I continue to buy fortune cookies from Wings on a yearly basis to share.
(See below a button that links to additional project featuring fortune cookies that I've designed in my previous works)
(The street view shows the entrance of "Wings", to see this sign it's up the brick pedestrian walk way on the side of the building)
These little statues/beasts are "Imperial Roof Decorations". The more of them on a roof meant the more important the building was. I would see them all the time in the Chinese movies I'd watch growing up on palaces, temples, etc. I knew the number of statues was important growing up, and was confused to find so many on this building in Chinatown. A kite shop.
These styles of roofs and their decorations weren't always prominent in Chinatowns. Originally, Chinatown looked too "plain", and had a bad reputation.
The addition of these decorations and style of roof in Chinatowns all around the world, it was used to identify them as a Chinatown, and to attract tourists to see these magnificent "authentic" Chinese architecture in a Western world, even though sometimes these designs were inaccurate and wouldn't even make any sense architecturally.
An inauthentic decoration over time, eventually turned into an "authentic" feature of Chinatowns all over.
(Click the button below to read an additional article that describes this phenomenon in detail)
A closer look at the Holiday Inn hotel found next to Montreal's Chinatown. I've always had an interest in this building, while it did feel kind of odd and out of place, it did bring me a sense of inclusion, that my culture and heritage was being recognized. I wonder what other buildings are like this around the world, a mix of traditional culture and modernity. Not seen in this photograph but the rest of the architecture and roof top decorations are gorgeous and I love it when I can spot them from across the skyline.
I've never stayed in one of the rooms at the hotel, but I have explored the inside a little bit, and in the lobby you'll find this hidden gem of a koi fish pond, and other Chinese "artifacts" and statues.
Click the button below to read more about the architecture and design from the Montreal Gazette, 1991 (File from McGill University Archives).
The Gazette 1991Google Street View
The final photograph of this series is of the local Chinese church found in Chinatown, right outside the convention center. What I found most interesting is how language is no barrier to the spread of religion.
If I recall, my grandparents were kind of religious, Buddhist I think, I'm not really sure. After my grandmother had passed, my grandfather had converted to Christianity. I've only been inside the church once or twice, because my grandfather had invited us to see him sing since he was part of the choir. He was really involved in the Chinatown community, he even taught and practiced Tai Chi in the square with the kite shop. I really wish I took more time to learn it with him.
He used to go to the church all the time from what I knew, but moved nearby into the Chinese hospital in Chinatown after. He ended up staying there for the latter part of his life, where we visited him often, sometimes I wish I could have visited more. I don't think he got to visit the church once he moved in.
All of my life, both my grandmother and grandfather lived in Chinatown, and it was also in Chinatown where they spent the rest of their lives until they passed.
Every time I walk by parts of Chinatown, I'm reminded of my grandparents.
Artist's Statement
As a second-generation Canadian-born Chinese, much of my upbringing in Montreal, QC, was spent in Chinatown. My grandparents had lived in the condos adjacent to our favorite restaurant for my entire life, where I first learned how to play Mahjong, where many family dinners were held (with an over abundance of water chestnuts in each dish), and deep family ties to the local Chinese community.
This series of photographs is a perfect opportunity to capture some of my childhood memories and share them. Unlike my previous work as a designer and photographer, this series of photographs carry a deeper meaning and sentiment, capturing my personal journey intertwined with cultural heritage and a bit of commentary. I hope that this project inspires others to also take a second to explore their own personal journeys and heritage, and I invite everyone to find ways to create a narrative and share them.
I hope to one day expand on this project and explore other Chinatowns and find out what stories their communities have to offer.
The Process
All the photographs featured in the series were captured from a Sony a6500 camera, and edited through Adobe Lightroom, with a medium of web (which I chose as a web designer, but hope to turn also have a print version in the future). The interesting journey of rediscovering my familiar Chinatown, a space that contains so much of my life and identity, took on a new dimension as I threaded it through the perspective of globalization. This process prompted a reflection of my heritage, urging me to capture, curate, and share these photographs.
It was easy to capture these moments, but difficult to curate to photographs, there we so many to pick from. Writing a caption for each photo was interesting, it brought back many memories that made me smile, laugh, and cry.
I hope to create additional projects that continue to share pieces of my identity in the future, and that this series can expand further and offer another look into my Chinatown's story, as both it and I continue to grow and evolve.