Online: November 7 to December 18, 2025
Opening Reception: November 14 • 7 – 9 pm • more info

Mineral Colour and Ink on Xuan paper in the Mezzanine

When I arrived in Vancouver, the sharp, cold temperatures contrasted starkly with the warmth I brought from home. In this unfamiliar place, I sought an anchor, which I found in the sea.

My first memorable experience was the Spot Prawn Festival at Steveston Fisherman’s Wharf. The vibrant, flame-coloured prawns stirred something within me. Their glistening crimson bodies, though foreign, radiated a beauty that evoked the carefree spirit of summer and humanity’s shared longing. In their shimmering forms, I glimpsed the essence of life. In Chinese tradition, shrimp are depicted in black ink—fluid yet confined by tradition. I yearned to break free from these boundaries. Using the mogu technique, I allowed colour and light to intertwine, creating transparency and movement. Without a drop of water on my paper, the spot prawns and fish come alive, their delicate features dancing in my brushstrokes.

Similarly, the lion dance embodies vitality and strength. The lion’s fierce head symbolizes kingship, while its sharp, flowing movements express courage and passion, mirroring the rhythm of the sea and the prawns. The goldfish, with its elegant curves, symbolize grace and abundance in Chinese art.

Through painting, I capture the ocean, the people, and the landscapes of British Columbia—an ode to a place that feels both foreign and familiar. This exhibition weaves a narrative of freedom and connection, bridging water and air, past and present, tradition and innovation.

Website: seeyu.art
Facebook: 思遇 (Mitchell Seeyu)
Instagram: @mitchell_seeyu