Paint City Black Mural Project
The “Paint the City Black” project saw 40 graffiti artists from around the GTA gather to pay tribute to the anti-Black racism movement.
They even made international news.
https://www.euronews.com/embed/1123518
Here are some of the murals that you can still find in Graffiti Alley – mostly near Augusta Ave. But they are scattered everywhere and it’s a continuing project.
Art of Phade aka Jessey James Mural
Jessey who goes by Art of Phade was starting to organize this project when I went through Graffiti Alley at the beginning of June. There was a mural of Donald Trump on this wall before the owner wanted it painted over.
I went back a week later when they were finished but I didn’t get a very good photo.
You can check out his feed for more information.
This is another mural by Jessey that he did before and he added the “Free the Revolution” for this project.
Adrian Hayles Mural
This is a portrait by Adrian Hayles of Regis Korchinski-Paquet.
Adrian also did this “We Can’t Breathe” that is actually near Trinity Bellwoods Park.
BDF Crew Mural
“Rip George Floyd”
Jamal Mural
This mural unfortunately I don’t know the artist.
Deluxo Mural
Danilo the Artist also goes by Deluxo and he painted this mural. “Still Fighting”.
Elicser Elliott Mural
This mural of Huey Newton by Elscer Elliott is on the other side of Bathurst.
According to Wiki
“Huey Percy Newton (February 17, 1942 – August 22, 1989) was an African-American political activist and Marxist-Leninist revolutionary who, along with fellow Merritt College student Bobby Seale, co-founded the Black Panther Party (1966–1982). “
Javid Jah Mural
This is a mural of Malcom X by Javid Jah. He often paints with Deluxo and Moises Frank.
Leyland Adams Mural
Not sure if Leyland Adams did the lettering here but it says “you don’t have to be a man to fight for freedom. All u have to do is to be an intelligent human being”.
Lovebot Robot Mural
Mural by Lovebot in Graffiti Alley.
Poser ABM
A contribution by Poser ABM with his trademark Bunny.
Moises Frank Mural
Formerly known as Luvs – Moises Frank painting this mural of Zianna Oliphant.
Opolakarim Mural
A ‘new to me’ artist painted this mural around the corner from the one by Moises.
Roshni Wijayasinha Mural
This mural by Roshni Wijayasinha is in the same area.
Paul Glyn-Williams Mural
On instagram Paul Glyn-Williams goes by Sumartist. I got to meet him for the first time !
He has a great video on IGTV of the entire project.
Adeyemi Adegbesan Wheat Paste
On Instagram Adeyemi Adegbesan goes by Yung Yemi and he contributed two murals for this project.
Nick Sweetman Mural
In Memory of D’Andre Campbell, December 17, 1993 – April 6, 2020.
I took a tour through Graffiti Alley last week and managed to catch Nick as he was finishing up this mural for the #PainttheCityBlack event. He can explain better on his account @nick_sweetman the change that him and the other artists are demanding. It’s very powerful to read.
In the second picture you can see Nick himself and he is having a conversation with another spectator (off camera). The spectator was under the false impression that #blacklivesmatters were paying him and the other street artists for their artwork. Nick was explaining (politely) that he wasn’t being paid – nor were the other artists who also contributed last week. They did all this art selflessly to bring attention to an important cause.
Almost every city has a “Graffiti Alley”. A place where artists can go and just paint what they want without recourse. It’s become a popular tourist destination — especially for selfie takers.
Anyway.. I just wanted to point out that Nick — along with the other artists — they painted these murals with their own resources in their free time. Very rarely there is a paid project here and most of the art in Graffiti Alley is done for free just for people to enjoy and reflect on.
Some many people walk through Graffiti Alley and they use this ‘free’ art for selfie backgrounds. I’ve seen entire wedding parties in this alley with professional photographers and camera gear.
It’s so important when you take a picture of their art — that you mention the artists. Usually they have their Instagram Account posted and the # that they would like you use – right on the wall !
It really helps the artists to get their message across ! & It’s the least we can do !!
spraytheirname
Toronto Graffiti Street Art Found Here:
Black Lives Matter Sidewalk Mural
On Canada Day 16 artists came together again to paint “Black Lives Matter” in Kensington Market to keep the message going.
I still have to check this one out but several artists that participated in the Graffiti Alley project also took part.
