No. 3 Road Art Columns

The circular backlit display cases that make up the No. 3 Road Art Columns are located at the base of the concrete piers that support the Canada Line guide-way at Aberdeen and Lansdowne Stations. These unique displays showcase artwork by visual artists who work in 2D media and are part of the City’s and the Richmond Public Art Program's commitment to enhance the No. 3 Road streetscape.

The No. 3 Road Art Columns Program was launched in 2010 in partnership with the Appia Group of Companies, in collaboration with InTransit BC. The inaugural exhibition was presented in partnership with the Necklace Project, an inter-municipal collaboration for public art, involving 10 local cities and newly commissioned artwork on the theme of “illuminating communities.” Since then, the program has featured the work of dozens of local artists with rotating exhibitions that change twice a year. 

The Art Columns program is funded from the Public Art Program Reserve supported by contributions from the Private Development Public Art Program.

Art Columns: Exhibit 16, Part I
February 1-July 31, 2022

Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases the work of artists Adriele Au, Martin Murphy and Chantelle Trainor-Matties. The artists in this exhibition participated in the fourth bi annual ArtRich 2021 exhibition hosted by the Richmond Art Gallery and presented by the Richmond Arts Coalition. The juried exhibition, which took place this past December, showcased work by emerging and established artists from Richmond and nearby communities.

Chantell Trainor-Matties
Lansdowne Station: Chantelle Trainor-Matties is an Indigenous artist of Nisga’a and Métis heritage who specializes in illustration, graphic design and painting. This series of artworks depicts native animal species. A frog sticking out its tongue represents the sharing of knowledge, a raccoon teaches resourcefulness, and an eagle symbolizes strength and an otter friendship. The eagle and otter also hold a salmon, a source of life.

Understanding Our Native Wildlife, 2022

Martin Murphy
Lansdowne Station: Martin Murphy is a Vancouver-based painter who grew up in Unionville, Ontario surrounded by art and antiques. This exhibition presents his photo-realistic style of oil painting with a depiction of koi, symbols of luck, prosperity and good fortune. In creating an aquarium-like experience, the fish swim from one panel to the next, inspiring viewers to continue their own journey with positive energy.

Colourful Travellers, 2022

Adriele Au
Aberdeen Station: Adriele Au is a second-generation Canadian artist based in Burnaby. Her work is a hybrid of painting, drawing and sculpture using mixed-media and repurposed objects that address themes of home, time and nostalgia. This exhibition draws attention to objects and colours that signify celebration. Crêpe party paper streamers, a thousand burnt candles and a silver server take on emotional significance in the creation of memories.

1. I Am a Thousand Years Old, 2022
2. Double Puddluv 1, 2022
3. Puddluv Wave 2, 2022
4. Puddluv Wave 2, 2022

Art Columns: Exhibit 15, Part II
August 16, 2021-January 31, 2022

Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases the work of Richmond artists Aman Aheer, Anja Novkovic, and Manuel Axel Strain who have created work in response to the theme of Hope, Resilience and Strength. This exhibition is part of the #RichmondHasHeart campaign, an initiative that aims to bring the community, residents and businesses together to show their support for those working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore meaningful ways to find connection and express solidarity and support for others in the community.  

Aman Aheer
Lansdowne Station: Aman Aheer is a queer painter of Indian heritage currently residing in Richmond. His work for this exhibition reflects on the idea of adaptation in the midst of rapid change and resilience of spirit in the context of uncertainty. His practice weaves textiles into the surfaces of his works and often mixes seemingly opposing or contradictory materials.

1. A Closer Walk (Scarlet Stilts), 2021
2. Beyond The Break, 2021
3. Divine Flight, 2021
4. Bridge, 2021

Anja Novkovic
Lansdowne Station: Anja Novković is a Richmond-based artist. In her illustration work she often focuses on nature and employs symbolism, dreamy line-work and joyful colour palettes to depict flora and fauna. Her series of illustrations for this exhibition depict medicinal plants and animal species found in the Garden City Lands, aiming to venerate the natural bounty that surrounds local residents and to encourage an attitude of stewardship.

1. Barn Owl & Dandelion, 2021
2. Blue Heron & Plantain Leaf, 2021
3. Rabbits & Red Clover, 2021
4. Coyote & Milk Thistle, 2021

Manuel Axel Strain
Aberdeen Station: Manuel Axel Strain is a non-binary Two-Spirit artist of Musqueam, Simpcw and Inkumupulux ancestry. Strain uses their art practice to confront and undermine the imposed realities of colonialism, proposing a new space beyond these systems of power. In Different Grounds, a series of photographic work for this exhibition they assert the presence of the Indigenous body to uplift and honour our relationships to the ground we all walk upon.

Different Grounds, Manuel Axel Strain, 2021

Art Columns: Exhibit 15, Part I
March 12-August 14, 2021

Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases the work of Richmond artists Glen Anderson, Fanny Bok Yin Tang and Keely O’Brien who have created work in response to the theme of Hope, Resilience and Strength. This exhibition is part of the #RichmondHasHeart campaign, an initiative that aims to bring the community, residents and businesses together to show their support for those working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore new and meaningful ways to find connection while maintaining physical distancing protocols.

Keely O'Brien
Artist Statement: This series of postcards celebrates the kindness, interconnection and care that community members expressed for one another during a recent snail mail-based interactive art project. Each message is both a record of an intimate correspondence between participants and a public wish extended to all passersby.

Description: Four digital reproductions of original mixed-media artwork.

Artists: Keely O’Brien, 2021
Title of Artwork: Dearest

Fanny Bok Yin Tang
Artist Statement: This series of flower paintings captures life’s journey, surrounded by the earth’s ethereal beauty and glory, and within a world that is undeniably separate from the one in which we are living. Isolation and uncertainty are present during the pandemic but we can still hope to grow strong and beautiful. Where flowers bloom, so does hope.

Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.

Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Rhododendron

Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Crazy Yellow Daisy

Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Spring Dream

Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Pink Magnolia Flowers & Gill

Glen Andersen
Artist Statement: The locale depicted here might be the darkest public space in Richmond: mysterious, lost in time—a parallel world. Our current crisis is uniquely challenging for children, but as each generation navigates the compounding threats of its era, we can look to them to model resilience and adaptation: by enthusiastically getting outside.

Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.

Artist: Glen Andersen
Title of Artwork: The Old Normal—a storyboard for simple pleasures

Art Columns: Exhibit 14, Part II
Resident Art Groups Showcase
August 1, 2020-March 10, 2021

Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases members of Men in Hats, Community Wellness Group and the Danny Chen Art Studio. 

Danny Chen Art Studio

Artist Statement: Danny Chen Art Studio artists Danny Chen, Hilda Chen, Opal Chen and Caroline Chen present “Generations,” a series of mixed-media artworks that explores Richmond’s past, present and future from the perspective of multiple generations within the Chen Family.

Description: Four digital reproductions of original mixed-media paintings.

Artists: Opal Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: Resourceful Richmond - Farming City

Artists: Opal Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: City Life in 2020

Artists: Caroline Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: Joy, Happiness and Strength (Dandelion)

Artists: Opal Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: Multi-Culture in my Tummy

Community Wellness Group

Artist Statement: The Community Wellness Group is a Richmond-based arts group dedicated to raising awareness of community mental health through their practice of traditional Chinese brush painting. This series of work was completed through a process of collaboration and mentorship, and celebrates Richmond's natural diversity and heritage.

Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.

Artists: Angela Leung, Celia Leung and John Leung, 2019
Title of Artworks: Embracing Diversity

Artists: Dr. Vivian Lo and Celia Leung, 2020
Title of Artworks: Canadian Geese at Terra Nova Park

Artist: Lai Han Yik, Kam Wah Leung and John Leung, 2020
Title of Artworks: Herons at Britannia Shipyard

Artists: Selina Chan, Tony Chan and Celia Leung, 2020
Title of Artworks: The Maritime

Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.

Men In Hats

Artist Statement: Men in Hats is a Richmond-based group of plein air painters who practice their art form in the great outdoors while exploring the lower mainland. This group of paintings reflect historical sites in Richmond including Sea Island Airport Terminal, Steveston Harbour, Terra Nova heritage area and London Farms. For more information or to find out where they will be painting next, visit meninhats.ca.

Artist: M.L. (Marv) Skelton, 2020
Title of Artworks: Time Traveller

Artist: David McHolm, 2019
Title of Artworks: Kayaks on Shady Island

Artist: Randy Kneblik, 2020
Title of Artworks: Peaceful Morning

Artist: Mike Rossiter, 2020
Title of Artworks: London Farms