The Asbestos Memorial

Honouring the Victims of Asbestos Exposure

The Asbestos Memorial was officially dedicated on September 22, 2022. Located on the north-west corner of the waterfront path at Vancouver Convention Centre West, the Asbestos Memorial includes Doug R Taylor’s dynamic kinetic sculpture “Wind Wheel Mobile” driven only by the wind. Rich in symbolism, it is destined to become one of Vancouver’s most iconic images. The memorial honours the thousands who have died, and continue to die from asbestos exposure and will spark public awareness of the ongoing danger that surrounds us.

The memorial sits at the foot of the “Line of Work” installation that profiles workers killed and injured on the job. It faces Burrard Inlet, where for decades asbestos was loaded into ships for export.

Also included in the memorial are two interpretive panels. One describes the artwork. Another includes the poem “Magic and Lethal”, by John MacLachlan Gray, OC.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, and our other major partners.