I do not know when the new mural on a building on McCaul Street appeared, but I noticed it for the first time this week. The building is between Stephanie and Queen Streets, a short distance south of the the OCAD University.
The mural first caught my attention because of its enormous size and the brightness of the colours. At first, I thought that the artist had not painted the mortar between the bricks, as the overall effect was that of a work created with individual tiles, like a mosaic. However, on closer examination, I discovered that this was not the case.
Instead, the artist has employed flowing lines to divide the large space into small sections, thus creating the illusion that the mural has been produced with tiles.
The portrayal of the swimmer contains traces of Diego Rivera’s work, as the figure is enormous and outlined in a dark colour. However, Diego’s figures were more free-flowing. The face contains Latino features, although I admit that this may be in my imagination. The stylized waves wash over the swimmer, and . . .
. . . sea creatures swim near him
Where the swimmer dived into the water, one person seems to be giving him the finger, while another holds a bottle (beer?), and another a cigarette. I wonder if the domino represents that the swim is a gamble for the swimmer.
By contrast, where the swimmer ends his endeavour, he receives the thumbs-up and a flower, perhaps signifying congratulation.
This is the signature at the bottom right-hand corner of the mural. I would enjoy meeting the artist and having the art work explained to me, as my comments are only supposition.
To view others posts about the Toronto graffiti scene:
A new black and white graffiti mural has appeared in the Kensington Market
An entire new wall of graffiti has appeared in McDougall Lane (Oct. 2012)
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/11/01/mcdougall-alley-has-a-new-display-of-graffiti-art/
The graffiti-decorated “hug-me-tree” on Queen Street West.
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/10/25/queen-street-wests-graffiti-adorned-hug-me-tree/
Graffiti in a laneway amid the colours of autumn
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/10/23/graffiti-amid-autumn-in-the-city/
A mural in the Kensington Market, with tongue-in-cheek humour:
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/10/17/clever-humorous-graffiti-in-the-kensington-market/
In July of 2011, I placed a post on this blog about the abstract expressionists. At that time, there was an exhibition of their work at the AGO. I received comments from readers who strongly disagreed with the post. Their opinions were indeed valid, but the ideas expressed in the post may also have validity. To view this post:
In August of 2012 I placed another post in which I compared the work of the graffiti artist Uber5000 to the abstract expressionists. This too became a controversial post.
To view the Home Page for this blog: https://tayloronhistory.com/
I think this is the work of Nunca from Brazil
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francisco_Rodrigues_da_Silva
HI,
Thanks for the information. I checked his web page and found it fascinating.I certainly admire his creaticw skills.
Doug Taylor