Montréal Chinois: The Lost Decades / Les décennies perdues. Photography 1945–1960s
Chinese Canadian Museum, Vancouver, BC - To May 10
This exhibition of works selected from the McCord Stewart Museum provides a rarely seen view of Chinese Canadian life in Montreal from the end of World War II to the October Crisis of 1970. Although much has been made of the tensions between Anglo and Québécois communities during those years, only in the past half century have Canadians outside Quebec become aware of the under-represented histories of Quebec’s Indigenous peoples as well as its Jewish, Italian, Lebanese, Vietnamese and Haitian settler communities, making Montréal Chinois a timely—if not overdue—exhibition.
Curated by the CCM’s CEO, Melissa Karmen Lee, Montréal Chinois features the work of five photographers—Arthur Lee, Samuel Lee, Peter Wong, Chuck Yip and Chong Hong Ho. All were self-taught, worked outside of institutional frameworks, and together provide evidence of a dynamic Chinese Canadian story of survival, endurance and joy. As one might expect, each photographer has their own area of interest, their own stories to tell.
The eldest son of early migrants from Toisan, China, Arthur Lee achieved financial success through family businesses like Wing Noodles Ltd. With his brother Samuel and close friend Peter Wong, the three built a resonant body of work focused on everyday activities, overlapping friendship circles, and beach and ski trips. Chuck Yip, a grandson of pioneer businessman and social reformer Yip Sang, produced annotated photo albums and travel-themed collages. After emigrating from Guangzhou, Chong Hong Ho spent time in Manitoba and Arkansas before arriving in Montreal. For Chong, migration is the subject of his documentarian impulse.
This exhibition is part of the 2026 Capture Photography Festival Selected Exhibition Program.
