In August 2019, under the guidance of the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association and Chinatown District BIA, The New Gallery contributed a new work, "The Way" by Alex Kwong, to the mural alley behind the historic Canton Block in Calgary Chinatown.
Kwong states that his mural was inspired from Daoist beliefs and artworks where one is carried off by a crane when they achieve immortality. Kwong’s mural is a fitting contribution to Calgary Chinatown, reminding viewers that each of us have an impact on the world based on the way we live our lives. We must be mindful of the legacy of this impact, as this contributes to how communities are built. The New Gallery interprets this mural as a representation of the resiliency and longevity of Calgary Chinatown, and a possible path forward, with the words Dao or Tao translating to mural’s title, “The Way.”
This project was made possible through support from the Calgary Foundation, and through the expertise of the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association and Chinatown District BIA.