Building upon the success of the Pan Am traffic box wraps the City asked UHS students to designed six Canada 150th themed vinyl traffic box wraps to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial. The artworks will be installed at various intersections across Markham in July 2017. The student design team was honored at the Markham’s Civic Centre on Friday, June 16th by the Mayor and City Council.
Title: Emblem of Diversity, 2017
Artist: Amber Chen
Medium: Digital Painting
Emblem of Diversity embraces the diversity and a sense of unity between Canadians. Inspired and motivated by the motto of Markham: “Leading While Remembering”, Emblem of Diversity depicts different ethnicities, genders and ages who shares same interest and be proud of being a Canadian Citizen. People from all parts of Canada are gathering and holding the Canadian flag to celebrate and honor Canada’s 150th anniversary. The wampum belts are draped over shoulders and arms of indigenous and non-indigenous Canadians, which connecting and reconciles the relationship between all Canadians. The maple leaf, beaver and other features behind the flag are selected to represent the uniqueness of Canada, also communicates the natural and human histories. The Canada Jays depict the energetic Canadians citizens, moving forward with the hope and keenness of a greater and brighter future path.
Title: Priority Mail, 2017
Artist: Kimmie Chan
Medium: Digital Illustration
To commemorate Canada 150th anniversary, Priority Mail centers around the theme of diversity, inclusion and building common interest and relationships. The design illustration mimics the look of multiple international cardboard moving boxes. The stickers and stamps of different nationalities decorate the plain boxes and represent the common interest and diverse relationships of our community; a community that decorates their home with different cultures, religion and celebrations while including everyone. So as people move to Markham from different places from all around the world, its what is in their moving boxes and their cultural background that truly matters.
Kimmie Chan’s online portfolio: klaiis-portfolio.tumblr.com
Title: Markham is Lit, 2017
Artists: Corliss Lam & Kimmie Chan
Medium: Digital Illustration
This piece is inspired by the nature of Markham and Canada. The maple leaves represent one of Canada’s most gorgeous season. I also wanted to incorporate northern lights into the background because of how pretty it looks and how it adds colour to the whole piece. The northern lights light up the sky in the design. I also included the Civic Centre and the Varley Art-Gallery in the background represent the landmarks of Markham. As well, I wanted the branches of the trees with Canada geese flying in different directions, but all originating from the same tree to symbolize the citizens of Markham and how we all share a common root, which is the identity of being Canadian.
Title: Revisit 150, 2017
Artist: Alvin Huang
Medium: Digital Painting
Revisit 150 is inspired by Markham’s Motto: “Leading While Remembering” along with the profound achievements of Canada over 150 years. The illustration depicts several civilians of different culture traveling from the Vimy Ridge Memorial toward the City of Markham. The Vimy Ridge Memorial embodies Canada’s successes as a nation and symbolizes the Canada’s great potential in impacting the world. The figures carry inspiration and motivation from their visit of Canada’s great history and stride toward Markham, eager to spread positive energy to the people of the city with hopes of building a greater Canada.
Alvin Huang’s online portfolio: www.linkedin.com/in/alvin-huang-arch
Title: Rainbow Acceptance, 2017
Artists: Jennifer Chan & Kimmie Chan
Medium: Digital Design
The rainbow maple leaf inspired design is a representation of Canadian gender and sexual diversity. Canadians come from different backgrounds and identify differently on the gender and sexuality spectrum. They are all puzzle pieces that unite together to create a strong nation. It is crucial that we see LGBT+ representation in the community through art; it is what inspires us to be accepting, open, and most importantly, Canadian.