HISTORIC QUEEN ST EAST ART FESTIVAL 2022

Our lead in the BLANK WALLS mural project, Giselle Silvestri states; “ The At Home with Covid” mural is about Covid and how our homes took on a whole new meaning during 2020 and 2021. For some it became a prison for others a refuge. In some homes there was death and in other homes there was new life. For some, Covid destroyed their livelihood and they became homeless adding to the already homeless population. Tent cities sprung up all across our city, and for some these tents are the only homes they have. The mural reflects the hopefulness I have been feeling, slowly seeing life return to normal”. Giselle’s work will be added with by images from Carol Mark, Michael Jenkins, Colour Blots by Angela, Farzana Aziz, Michael Sillers, Maziar Mohajer, and Rachelle Soloway.

Ongoing & future projects to be directed to co-ordinator Carol  amazingmosspark@gmail.com

Dan Philip’s mural, on the other hand, comes to grips with the history of the surrounding neighbourhood, The Moss Park area, how it got here, why it looks the way it does and who were the people who made it happen. Dan’s poster depicts T.J. Wilkie, builder of an historically designated block on Queen East, and the Allan family, G.W. and William Allan, who gifted what is now Moss Park to the City. 

Carol Mark, the art collective’s founder says, “After all the grey and harrowing months we’ve had, art really can help us take back the warmth, colour and richness of our lives in our neighbourhood—and in neighbourhoods all over the city.”

Together, the two large murals will occupy a brick wall facing Britain Street, a storied name in the history of Toronto, the space generously donated by a neighbour, who is a property owner in the area. 

Don’t miss the unveiling of these two striking art pieces so much a part of our recent and past history in Toronto!

Carol Mark:

"As a Chinese Canadian, I came face to face with anti Asian hate for the first time in my life. That’s why I added the hashtag #StopAsianHate to my art. The inequalities my grandfather faced during the time of The Exclusion Act 1923 where no Asians were allowed in Canada, separating families for decades were reminders of past injustices. The “nice polite facade” of Canadians seemed just that to me. And I believe now that we as Canadians need to try harder if we value a multicultural society that is inclusive."

Michael Jenkins: "Home was a very crowded place of confinement, jail-like but silent and empty.”

Michael Sillers: “Home isn't just where we lay our head. Home is everywhere.”

Farzana Aziz: "Blissful Discovery of Self. While the world we knew tilted in front of us, my home is where I discovered the artist self within me and my blessings that outshone in the midst of all uncertainties.”