Canada 150 Access Covers - Seven Generations (2019)

James Harry

6911 No. 3 Rd.

Area: City Centre
Location: Artist Designed manholes can be found throughout Richmond but are concentrated in the City Centre, Minoru Plaza, and Steveston Village.

Materials: Cast iron access covers

Program: Civic
Ownership: Civic
Sponsored By: City of Richmond

Description of Work

The three circles in each salmon represent the mind, body and spirit. Coast Salish design comes from our environment and animals we coexisted with. The circle, crescent and triangle shapes are from moving bodies of water. The circles, crescent, and triangle shapes depict a pebble being dropped in water moving in concentric circles outward.

Artist Statement

The artwork is inspired by my elders explanation that we should leave our salmon for seven generations to rebuild and repopulate the species to allow us to fish again. As waterfront people, fishing for salmon was our way of life in the Squamish Nation. The design derives from the Coast-Salish people and is a distinct indigenous style from this region. By placing the design throughout the City, the art work suggests the viewer to reflect on our lost waterways and streams that were here before urban development. It also serves as a reminder that all rainwater from the streets ends up into the Ocean.