Howie Tsui 徐浩恩

THE BREATH BELOW (2024)

Spanning over 3600 square feet, The Breath Below is a graphic mosaic that captures the aquatic life and energy flowing within the Fraser River estuary. The artwork is made of over 3556 custom - made glazed glass and metallic tiles, onto which a graphic is applied using a one-of-a-kind stencilling method developed for this project. Created in honour of the area’s ecological systems, the artwork draws from the natural phenomenon of the estuary to encourage viewers to consider and participate in the vibrant world below the water’s surface. The underwater scene also serves as an allegory (a story with a hidden meaning) for Capstan Station’s role as a multi-modal transit hub and community node for the residents and visitors of Capstan Village. An estuary is a rich converging point for aquatic life, the silt and sea, and fresh and saltwater. Pictured in this artwork is an estuary’s eelgrass meadow — a gathering place for an array of aquatic species, and a vital site of shelter for juvenile fish and other vulnerable creatures. The artwork intends to attune the viewer’s consciousness to the ecological life nearby, mirroring the dynamic human activity of the station and bringing the two worlds into simultaneous experience. Using a compositional structure that resembles Chinese landscape painting, the artwork expands on tradition by bringing viewers into an underwater perspective. The central feature is the lyrical quality of swaying eelgrass. The artist has used a technique similar to calligraphic brushstrokes to transcend the static state of the forms and infuse them with currents of motion. This technique evokes a sense of chi, or vital spirit, within the picture’s environment and subjects. The artwork’s formal and philosophical aspects convey energies and harmony that are attributed to both Taoist and Buddhist principles, and may resonate with practitioners from the many nearby temples. The estuary and eelgrass meadow setting of the artwork also recognizes and honours the Musqueam (xwməθkwəy̓əm) community and name, meaning “the people of the river grass”. With deep respect and appreciation for the Musqueam community for hosting the artwork on this site, the work is centred around the land and the life it supports. The region’s settler communities are also acknowledged through the artwork’s connection to the area’s fishing history, which is responsible for sustaining many of the area’s inhabitants.