Cleaner's Action

Location: 1628 Dundas Street East, just west of Brock Avenue

Date photo taken: 9 July 2022

Apart from the size, you could almost describe this mural in Little Portugal as understated. The faded appearance is the result of the way in which it was created - not painted, but rather excavated. The artist, known as Vhils, creates his murals by chipping away at the layers already in place, revealing what is underneath. Which is a perfect fit for the theme of the mural. It features faces and scenes drawn from archival photos and reports, of women, predominently Portuguese immigrants, who worked as cleaners at Queen's Park. In the 1970s they came together and organized to demand better pay and working conditions and sparked a major labour movement that would become known as the Cleaners' Action. 

You can learn more about the labour movement and the women behind it on this site. For more information on Vhils and his creation of the mural, there is an interesting article by David Ganhão.

Rotten Candy

 

Location: Hepbourne Street

Date photo taken: 23 October 2023

Once again, Toronto yards were dressed to impress this Halloween. The giant skeletons I posted about last year have taken over a lot more real estate, and big, ropey spider webs seemed to be the it choice for many, but my favourite installation employed neither. This Halloween hawker stands outside Hepbourne Hall, one of half a dozen figures that make up their Halloween Circus. It's an incredibly detailed tableau and thoughtfully includes both a scavenger hunt and souvenirs. 

Heading for destinations unknown

Location: 1073 Bloor Street West

Date photo taken: 25 October 2015

I don't know the story behind this mural but I loved it instantly. With the colourful sky, the rolling water and the classic wardrobe, it just screams adventure. It's in a laneway, halfway between Gladstone and Havelock, just south of Bloor Street.

Little Champion

Location: College and Dovercourt

Date photo taken: 6 June 2018

This triumphant figure is Little Champion, a sculpture by Dr. Harry Rosen. To date he has created 16 works and donated them to organizations in Montreal and Toronto. All feature this distinctive layered look. While this piece is done in bronze, it mimics the look of his work in stone, which is composed of thin layers of carefully ground and shaped stone.