pi'tawita'iek: we go up river

Artist(s): Jordan Bennett

Completed: 2022

Size: 12×4 ft.; 3.6×1.2 m.

This beautiful mural is visible from OCAD’s south-facing wall at 100 McCaul Street. Expanding the wall’s five doors (painted in a fantastic magenta with white circles, partially descending bars and green lines that extend like Ionic columns), the exposed brick is separated by light blue, downward-facing triangles to create the large blue diamonds finalised the distinct section above the doors. This row is bookended by a four-toned half diamond beside four X shapes to its left. Above this, tricoloured waves flow in front of red and white backgrounds, changing colour every three feet. The second-highest section of the mural features a white background with smaller, fuchsia Xs and cyan rain drops. The uppermost section of the mural’s focus could be understood as either black curtains or a dark cloud with star details and a thick yellow border, in front of a lavender background, showing light green shapes in spaces where the curtain/cloud is not.

Accompanying the mural is a plaque, reading: “Jordan Bennett’s mural pi’tawita’iek: we go up river activates public space and its multiple connections – to the land, the waters, to our communities, to our ancestors and future generations. Rooted in Bennett’s Mi’kmaq perspective, the artwork widens our perception of Indigenous creativity; the artist reimagines his people’s traditional porcupine quillwork using graphic patterns and bright colours to explore his contemporary influences and experience. Mural at 100 McCaul St., curated by Lisa Deanne Smith, Curator, Onsite Gallery, OCAD University. Produced by IOTA Studios.’

The imprinted QR code leads to the artist’s (Jordan Bennett) OCAD profile.

This mural was funded by the City of Toronto, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the Toronto Arts Council, TD Bank and Nexus.

For More Information: ArtworxTO related webpage.