mural 33

5M x 10M (16.8” x 33.4”), CHEMAINUS ROAD

Memories of a chinese boy

Painted in 1996 by Cheng Shu-Ren (Arthur Cheng),
Surrey, BC

The Artist

Born in Nanchang, China, Cheng Shu-Ren established his reputation as an outstanding artist in Beijing. He has won many awards with distinction and in 1985 he was named in The British Who’s Who. His versatile works include extensive garden and park designs in Shanghai.

His bronze and marble sculptures and monuments have won him many prestigious awards from the Shanghai Arts Festival. His submission for this mural was chosen from among 14 in a competition sponsored by the Canadian Chinese Artist Federation, and he became the first Chinese artist to enhance the walls of Chemainus.

Arthur came to Canada in 1990 and now enjoys the freedom of artistic experiences and the new challenges this country offers.

His daughter, Cheng Ying, assisted him in painting Memories of A Chinese Boy, which they completed in just fourteen days.

The Art

Many newcomers from China worked in the mines at Mt. Sicker. Among them was Shong Hai Chang, who opened a general store before the turn of the century. He called it “Sam Yick Kee” (“three benefits”). The mural portrays the store operated by his son, Ning Chang, (the first Chinese child born in Chemainus, 1913). The street scene illustrates this popular meeting place and focal point for Chinese immigrants supplying commodities and foods imported directly from China. The Changs also operated a piggery and sold meat to local markets. Shong Hai Chang’s passing in 1934 was marked by the largest Chinese funeral ever seen in Chemainus. His son, Ning Chang, took over the business located at the site of the current 49th Parallel Grocery store. His descendants still reside in Chemainus. Next Mural >