Chinatown Heritage Murals - Lee Mong Kow Family Portrait 1905 Description This mural is a family portrait. It shows Lee Mong Kow with his wife and children, painted in a warm, lifelike style. The scene dates back to 1905 and honours a family whose story is deeply tied to Victoria’s Chinatown.
Lee Mong Kow arrived in Canada around 1880. He became a leader in the Chinese Canadian community and a strong advocate for bilingual education. He co-founded the Chinese Imperial School, the first free Chinese-language elementary school in Canada. He served as its first principal.
The walkway beside this mural is named Lee Mong Kow Way. It’s a quiet tribute to someone who helped shape the neighbourhood and opened doors for future generations.
About the artist Jeff Maltby grew up in Trenton, Ontario and studied illustration at Sheridan College. His creative interests include portraiture, painting and drawing human figures. He also enjoys coastal landscapes of British Columbia, often painting on location in lush forest settings. Jeff enjoys creating life-like murals that draw the viewer into the image. His works are featured at Ellice Recycle and Victoria Landscape-Gravel Mart in addition to Chinatown.
Details Medium
Exterior latex paint on wood panel
Dimensions
244 × 366 cm (8 ft × 12 ft) Area: 8.9 m² (96 ft²)
Site
North-facing wall of Centennial Square Parkade, facing Fisgard St.
Artwork category
Civic Public Art
