

About Singsong
Singsong is a tribute to Navvy Jack, a historical figure whose life stories have become part of West Vancouver’s history. Imu Chan draws inspiration from Indigenous storytelling traditions to share the story of his rooster.
Singsong consists of two bronze relief castings depicting the scene of the steamship Yosemite sailing towards the Salish Coast, with Navvy Jack’s house in the background.
The second cast carries the song-poem telling the story of a rooster’s morning crow that saved this ship and the many excursionists on it who were stranded by a shrouding mist. Standing atop one of the castings is a three-dimensional bronze rooster overlooking the site of the event.
According to available records gathered through hearsays and recollections, the rooster’s morning crow once saved a stranded ship along the Salish Coast, rescuing many passengers. This tale, passed down through generations, reflects the blend of history and imagination that shapes our understanding of the past.
By exploring this story, Singsong highlights the rich tapestry of our history, merging factual events with folklore. The installation invites viewers to reflect on how stories and memories contribute to our cultural heritage.
Song Poem “Singsong”
In one heavy, foggy morn
On May the Twenty-Fourth
O, From Victoria came
A steamship sailing to shore.
At the inlet, the anchor dropped
Yosemite was forced to stall
Rendered blind by the shrouding mist
Hope wandered, all was lost.
Hark! Came the crow of a rooster
From the loving home yonder
The ship rang: Slow Ahead
To the cock-a-doodle thither!
This is the tale of Jack’s rooster
Inspired by the spirit of dawn
On the Salish Coast, a beacon song
We’ll remember forevermore!
Imu Chan is a multi-disciplinary designer operating at the art-architecture confluence. He began his career as a civil engineer. Some of his earliest projects undertaken include hydroelectric infrastructure, transmission towers, and highways. Much of these past experiences have informed his current creative practice, in particular his appreciation of genuine construction and meticulous craftsmanship. Above all, he is captivated by the beauty of the mundane, the elegance of geometry, and the humbleness in the human scale.