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This is a photograph of Mah James, a soldier of Chinese-descent in World War 2 who fought on the side of Canada, taken in 1942 by Yucho Chow. Photos like these are important parts of humanising the statistical costs of war, looking beyond the numbers…

This is a photograph taken by Yucho Chow (a very well known Chinese-descended photographer who operated a store in Vancouver Chinatown) in 1944 of a woman named Emily Aida and her grandchildren. Chinatowns were hubs of multiculturalism, whether as a…

Clement Virgo is the final Pioneering artist for Black directors in Canada. His presence would likely not be possible without the successful works of the other three directors. Clement Virgo however is commonly known for his directing for Rude 1995.…

Railway porters, such as F.R Blackburn, were known as conduits of culture, often coming into porting already educated and well-travelled. Their work took them through some of the busiest cultural corridors in North America. As they moved between…

This contemporary photograph shows Duncanson’s work presented at a modern U.S. presidential inauguration. It demonstrates the enduring cultural resonance of his art and its reclaiming within major public institutions. However, also a reminder about…

A red coat, smoking, demonstrating an image of the "true, strong, righteous" man

A column introducing an opportunity for black girls

This second portrait, also produced during his Canadian period, provides another valuable image of Duncanson as he circulated through Montreal’s artistic networks. Displaying both portraits emphasizes how his identity and public presence were shaped…