This coming week marks the 100th anniversary of the Komagata Maru incident:

On May 23, 1914, the Komagata Maru sailed into Vancouver’s Burrard Inlet, carrying 376 passengers of Indian origin. However, the passengers on board the Japanese steamer were denied permission to enter Canada. Fears over Asian immigration at the time led the Canadian government to adopt a series of racist exclusionary policies against Chinese, Japanese and Indian migrants.

Komagata Maru Week opens with an exhibition of historical images and artworks by Gloria Ho and Jag Raina.

Exhibition includes charcoals by Jag Raina, and watercolour portraits by Gloria Ho.

“My collection of portraits is intended to honour the Komagata Maru incident from the perspective of the individuals arriving to Canada rather than from the perspective of those who rejected them.”

Gloria Ho is a freelance illustrator based in Edmonton, Alberta.