Richmond BC, Canada #richmondartgallerybc
The Breath Below, by Vancouver-based contemporary artist Howie Tsui, is a landmark public artwork developed by TransLink for the new Capstan SkyTrain Station in Richmond. This first-of-its-kind commission for TransLink, led by Klara Manhal, Senior Planner of Public Art, is the largest and most immersive work in the transit authority’s public art collection to-date.
Spanning more than 3,600 square feet, the artwork consists of more than 3,500 metallic-glazed, glass tiles, custom-fabricated in the Lower Mainland. Tsui’s practice—rooted in storytelling, movement, and the interplay between historical and contemporary narratives—translates seamlessly into the public realm, resulting in a site-specific work that responds to both the architectural context of the station and the communities it serves.
In this talk, Tsui and Manhal discuss the five-year journey of the project, from its conceptual origins to its realization. They explore how Tsui’s distinctive artistic approach was adapted for a large-scale public setting and how overcoming technical challenges—ranging from material innovation to fabrication logistics—was key to bringing the project to life.
Free admission, registration required.
About the Presenters:
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Lagos and Thunder Bay, Howie Tsui’s practice is deeply shaped by the complexities of cultural identity, power, and belonging. Now based in Vancouver, he explores these themes through ink brush painting, sound sculptures, lenticular lightboxes and immersive installations.
At the heart of his practice is a fascination with the narratives we inherit and the ways they can be subverted. Through sharp satire and exaggerated imagery, his works expose the undercurrents of surveillance, superstition and otherness—often viewed through the lens of diaspora.
Klara Manhal has always been drawn to the intersection of art and public space. With a background as an artist, curator and public art planner, she has spent her career exploring how art shapes the way people experience public life. As Senior Planner of Public Art at TransLink, Klara leads the integration of contemporary art into transit infrastructure, working on projects that transform stations, streetscapes and public spaces. Her approach is grounded in collaboration, planning projects that spark creative possibilities for artists within the technical complexities of the transit network, while fostering meaningful connections with communities.
Since 2003, the City of Richmond has presented regional, national and international speakers including acclaimed artists, architects, urban planners and other cultural leaders. Previous lecture topics have included planning and placemaking, public and environmental art, art as community development, art as urban revitalization, architecture, artists’ live/work spaces and sculpture parks.
