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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPudy\nTong\u2019s work at Queen Street West and Peter Street. Courtesy of Openstudio.ca<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This dynamic, complex piece brings energy to this now-quiet location. Its vibrant, playful hues and frenetic lines first seem abstracted, but upon looking closer you can see overlapping images of the printing process, in different colours and varying opacity. The box is colored in pink, yellow, and blue, so the different levels of transparency enable the colours to combine into new shades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThe other side of Pudy Tong\u2019s work at Queen Street West and Peter Street. Courtesy of Openstudio.ca <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These printed motifs overlap to form masses of indiscernible shapes. Groups of prints with matching bright colours clump together, while two larger, monochrome printers in the foreground, depicting printing instruments, capture the attention of the viewer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another box is decorated by Brenda Joy Lem. On the front and back, there are two portraits, a woman on the side that is facing the sidewalk, and a man on the side looking at the street. On the other sides and under the woman\u2019s portrait, there are repeating lotus motifs, and several photographic scenes. Lem\u2019s work highlights the important history of working-class Chinese Canadians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nFront side of Brenda Joy Lem\u2019s piece at Queen Street West and Augusta Avenue. Photo: Bronwen Cox\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most parts of the images are monochromatic, in varying shades of muted purple, but the man\u2019s figure and his surroundings are coloured in bright, attention-demanding red pigment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nOther side of Lem\u2019s piece at Queen Street West and Augusta Avenue. Photo: Bronwen Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These prints originated from Lem\u2019s solo exhibition Homage to the Heart<\/em>, in which many of her works were inspired by her family history. These portraits depict her aunt and her uncle. The portraits are intimate, and both figures\u2019 warm, welcoming smiles give a feeling of intimacy and comfort. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meggan Winsley\u2019s work depicts a startling anthropomorphic figure: a creature with a bear\u2019s head, wearing a three-piece suit and holding a dead fish in its mouth. This bear-human sports a colorful bowtie with geometric patterns. Beast and human overlap and can no longer be separated. The pink salmon might be food for both. The bear can be a long-forgotten totem animal for this well dressed male, who might no longer remember the basic instincts of his origin. The background is a pale blue-green, with a pattern of roses and other flowers. Here, Winsley brings whimsical nature to the heart of downtown Toronto. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meggan Winsley\u2019s piece at Queen Street West and Portland Street. Photo: Bronwen Cox <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the other side of the box, against the same floral background, there is a print of an old photograph, a street scene with a jewelry and a book and record store. The street is busy and full of people, as an old car drives by. The picture depicts one of the main locations of the former Canadian record company, A&A records, which used to be located near Yonge and Dundas. Fusing mythical and historical Winsley\u2019s piece is a unique addition to the project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reverse side of Winsley\u2019s box at Queen Street West and Portland Street. Photo: Bronwen Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another animal-themed box stands just a few blocks south of Winsley\u2019s. Arwen Giel\u2019s contribution to the project brings pastel pigeons to King West. These stylized, larger-than-life birds rest on a background of pale pink, light blue, white, and grey, forming a pattern of leaves, dots, and solid colors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Arwen\nGiel, at King Street West and Portland Street. Photo: Bronwen Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of Giel\u2019s work focuses on city life, plants and animals, and these pigeons fit into both categories. Based on Giel\u2019s previous drawings, these birds are both wild and urban, a quintessential Toronto species. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The another side of Arwen Giel’s work, at King Street West and Portland Street. Photo: Bronwen Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are just four pieces from this extensive project. If you live close to any of these locations or the other sixteen, I\u2019d definitely recommend donning a facial covering and going for a walk to see one or many of these fantastic works. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n