MONSTER COMICS WALL MURALS

GIANT WALL MURALS! A YOUNG BUSINESSMAN’S HEAD SPONTANEOUSLY SPLITS IN TWO AND DECIDES TO FLOAT AWAY! FORNUATELY THIS INDIVIDUAL HAS ENOUGH SENSE TO REACH UP AND PUT THE TOP BACK IN PLACE! Inspired by the manifestation of communicative prowess expressed in the barrage of images, advertisements, and billboards (in particular), throughout the monstrous metropolis, the “HEY APATHY!” artworks have included numerous large scale public & private wall paintings. My first large scale public murals were created with chalk tempera on the sidewalk patio in front of the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2002. Through these early experiments I discovered both a suitable technique and the hypnotically empowered influence of outdoor exhibitions. The huge tempers paintings featured several monsters and oversized comic pages often enjoyed by the neighbourhood children. Although still within the safe haven of the Art College's grounds, here I discovered a means of communicating with people outside of the gallery environment. Shortly thereafter I took to renegade murals in which the Flies Holes and Roach Monsters haunted numerous hordings in Toronto's Kensington Market and China Town. The midnight missions proved exhilerating and simoultaneously productive as the city slowly transformed in horrific black and white. The inclusion of oversized interpretations of the ink drawings play a dynamic role in the quest to assimilate popular communication techniques aggressively initiating a dialogue with the city.

PAINTING THE STREETS

Since 2001 there have been over 100 public creations, both sanctioned and otherwise, created throughout the city of Toronto. These artworks are explified by the 200 ft long “ROACH” murals , which occupied the O.C.A.D. construction walls during their renovations (2002-2005), as well as the permanent “CITY OF GEARS” installation gracing the side of Chris Bell’s three story home located in the heart of downtown. Although numerous “graffiti” style artworks appeared in alleyways and on hoardings between 2002-2005, I have since retired my graffiti practices and graduated to producing commissioned pieces, less likely to be painted over, for both public and private consumption.

KENSINGTON MARKET GARAGE

An old unsanctioned cityscape on a Kensington Market Store Front Garage. Fortunetly the store keep enjoyed the painting and was pleased to be rid of the fowl words previously transcibed across his stoop. Canadian Art, downtown Toronto 2004.

ALSO SEE STREET ART PAGES!