The snow that fell in Toronto in December of 2012 was the first real accumulation that has descended on the city in over two years. I did not miss the opportunity to walk the streets and alleys of my neighbourhood to view familiar scenes that have been given a new setting. I believe that the colours of the some of the murals are more spectacular when bathed in the reflections cast by the snow. The alleys appear more charming, though I admit that one of the reasons may be that the litter and garbage thrown in these laneways are buried under a cover of white. Although snow on the streets may be the enemy of drivers, it is certainly friendly to the hidden outdoor spaces within the city where graffiti artists like Uber5000 thrive.
The year’s most ambitious graffiti mural during 2012 by Uber5000. This is an office building in Graffiti Alley, and was a commissioned work for the young artist from Nova Scotia.
Graffiti Alley, which is parallel to Richmond Street, with the condo 500 Richmond and the CN Tower in the background.
McDougall Alley that is between Queen Street West and Richmond Streets. This view looks north to Queen Street.
Graffiti Alley looking east toward Portland Street
Graffiti Alley looking west toward Bathurst Street, with the mural by Uber5000 on the north wall of the office building.
To view others posts about the Toronto graffiti scene:
Uber5000 painting a building in Graffiti Alley
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/11/08/uber5000-has-new-graffiti-art-in-mcdougall-lane/
New commissioned mural by Uber5000 at 74 Denison Avenue
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/11/04/new-graffiti-mural-by-uber5000-on-dennison-avenue/
New mural on McCaul Street has traces of Diego Rivera
https://tayloronhistory.com/2012/11/03/new-mccaul-st-mural-has-traces-of-diego-rivera/
Black and white graffiti in Kensington Market is unique
McDougall Lane has a new graffiti display (Nov. 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/