2010 OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

“Inside Chinatown:

Ancient Culture in a New World”

By Robert Amos & Keleasa Wong

“Inside Chinatown: Ancient Culture in a New World” is a landmark publication chronicling the vibrant heritage of Canada's oldest Chinatown, in Victoria. This large-format book features fascinating photo collages of the interiors of the upper meeting rooms and private clubs of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.  It includes the gilded shrine and altar of the CCBA brought here in 1885, the equally elaborate Dart Coon Club, the Chinese Freemasons, the Kung Fu Club with two gymnasiums, and many other spaces that the general public rarely has any access to.  Each chapter illustrates one of 29 member associations with historic photographs, art and antiques and contemporary portraits - every one is different.

The text is written in both Chinese and English. It provides important context to the history of this complex community from the early immigration of the Gold Rush and the building of the railway, up to the present day.  The history of each association, its activities and community leaders, is written with consultation from its members. Along with Amos's lively biographical essays, this makes for compelling reading.

Robert is a well-known author and painter of heritage and vernacular architecture in Victoria and he has been capturing the colourful street life of Chinatown since the mid 1970s.  His approach to photo collage is unique, combining a sequence of frames into irregular collages and panoramas, sometimes filling in shape and detail with paint. The book is co-authored by Kileasa Wong, with whom Robert has a long-standing collaboration exploring Chinese painting techniques. She is the editor of the CCBA 'Victoria Chinatown Newsletter' and principal of the Chinese Public School.

“Inside Chinatown” is an important historical contribution that provides an original, never-before-seen portrait of Victoria's Chinatown, which is a National Historic District.