A new Canada Post stamp representing Victoria’s Chinatown is set for release May 1.
Local artist Mark Heine painted the Gates of Harmonious Interest as part of an eight-part Canada Post series dedicated to Chinatown gates across the country. Seven stamps by seven other illustrators show Chinatown gates in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Mississauga, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal.
Heine has found an unusual niche for himself designing stamps. This will be his 16th released — his most recent previous stamp commemorated the 1812 Selkirk settlement in Manitoba.
But he said this one hits closer to home.
“It’s nice to actually get something that has local flavour for me and local interest,” he said recently.
Heine has designed stamps for both Canada Post and the Liechtenstein postmaster. He has already received a commission for 10 more.
“I think that must be some kind of record,” he said.
Heine’s painting, which stamp designer Hélène L’Heureux translated to stamp form, depicts a busy street scene in front of the gate. The mass of people was something that initially frustrated Heine, when he was trying to capture the gate, but that he soon embraced.
“I made the mistake of going down there at noon, which was kind of crazy,” he said. “There was an ambulance, a bus, all kinds of people. Finally, as I was walking around, I realized it was all this bustle and these people and activity that, for me, signifies Chinatown.”
The Gates of Harmonious Interest, which blends traditional and symbolic elements, was built in 1981. It features hand-carved stone lions from Victoria’s sister city Suzhou, as well as a pillar dedicated to Chinese-Canadians who fought and died in the Second World War.
“Wood or stone gates, known as paifang in Mandarin, were originally used to separate subdivisions in Chinese cities. Eventually, these gates lost that role and their doors, but remained as monuments,” Canada Post said on its website about Chinatown gates in general.
“In Canada today, these gates are often the most visible representation of Chinatown in our cities, symbolic of co-operation between various levels of Canadian and Chinese governments, businesses and citizens.”
While Canada Post does not have a specific number on record, director of stamp services Jim Phillips said there’s been “a number” over the years that feature Victoria and its landmarks.
In a quick search, he found the following: Greater Victoria Public Library (1996), Butchart Gardens (1991 and 2001), Empress Hotel (1993), the Victoria Golf Club (1995), legislature buildings (1935) and the city of Victoria’s 100th anniversary (1962).
There was also a commemorative envelope issued last year to celebrate the city’s 150th anniversary.
Heine is planning a local launch event for the stamp in early May, but a date has not yet been set.
