This artwork is part of a series of murals in Chinatown, commissioned through the City's Chinatown Mural Artist Call 2019. In February 2019, the City invited proposals for temporary painted murals and digital printed artwork within Chinatown's public realm. In April 2019, proposals were shortlisted by a panel of art experts from Chinatown who have cultural knowledge of the neighbourhood's heritage, with four projects then recommended for commission.

“Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea” is a familiar story from Chinese folklore about eight immortals crossing the East Sea differently with their special powers. The saying “eight immortals crossing the sea, each with their prowess” has become an allegory to describe how everyone has a unique way to complete the task. The eight immortals, in the context of migration, can be seen as representations and celebrations of diversity in all the individuals that make up the history of Vancouver’s Chinatown: those who have overcome difficulties, and those who have made contributions to
this community, each in their own way.

We hope the mural, through its exploration of Chinese mythology in a local context, can act as a catalyst to re-imagine Vancouver’sChinatown, its history, and its people as the work re-interprets a traditional story in celebration of the real stories of the community members who shaped this neighbourhood. We also hope the depiction of a classic legend can spark conversations between generations, and provide an opportunity to bridge cultures.

《⼋八仙過海海》是⼀一個廣為⼈人知的中國神話，講述了了⼋八位神仙各⾃自施展
法⼒力力橫渡東海海的故事。由此故事發展出的諺語—「⼋八仙過海海，各顯神
通」寓意每個⼈人都有其獨特的⽅方法去戰勝困難。重新詮釋的「⼋八仙」
也象徵了了所有通過不不同⽅方式跨海海來來到這⽚片⼟土地，戰勝困難，為唐⼈人街
社區做出貢獻的⼈人們。⼋八卦藝術家⼩小組嘗試⽤用壁畫形式呈現神話故事
《⼋八仙過海海》，並傳遞其背後蘊藏的象徵意義。

壁畫本身在溫哥華唐⼈人街獨特社區⽂文化的基礎上為唐⼈人街提供了了新的
想像空間，為觀看者理理解唐⼈人街社區的歷歷史和社區成員提供了了新的內
容。通過重新詮釋的《⼋八仙過海海》故事來來讚揚所有參參與建設唐⼈人街社
區的個體和其⼈人⽣生經歷歷；同時可以為⻑⾧長者和⻘青少年年，華裔和⾮非華裔加
拿⼤大⼈人之間的交流搭建橋樑。