Contemporary

Contemporary art is the art of today, produced in the second half of the 20th century or in the 21st century. Contemporary artists work in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and technologically advancing world.

  • Manifest

    Date: 2019

    Instagram: @alexjfowkes @nelsoninternationalmuralfest

    Photo Courtesy of Chase Rickaby, Tamarack Media Co, @Tamarackmediaco

    Artist: Alex Fowkes

  • Botanical Bilberry Mural

    This mural was painted at Ollie Quinn, an eyeglass store on Queen West. During International Women’s Day, every OQ boutique showcased the works of women artists throughout the month of March. I chose to paint a bilberry plant because they’re used as a supplement to support eye health. The botanical painting style blends nature, tradition and elegance into this trendy boutique.

  • Crystal Cluster Mountains at The Rock Store

    The Rock Store sells crystals, rocks, yoga classes and reiki treatments to promote health and healing. It’s a “Crystal Haven and Healing Centre. Crystals are the core foundation of the Earth, and of our bodies… we are not separate from the Earth and experience, but made entirely of everything from it.” The lively, green landscape includes branches (from driftwood inside the store) swaying towards the entrance with crows and birds flying in the same direction. A calm owl, a moose and a few pine trees line the layers of quartz point, customized into mountains of crystal clusters.

  • Greetings from Toronto at Holiday Inn Yorkdale

    The hotel was looking for a mural that would welcome guests and inspire them to interact and take a fun selfie. The design includes a colourful view of iconic buildings that guests may visit during their stay in Toronto. Using perspective, the city is composed into an aerial view looking Southward, from the Holiday Inn’s location at Yorkdale down to the waterfront by Lake Ontario. A constructed swing mounted to the wall allows people to sit and hold onto the ropes. When their photo is taken with the mural behind, it looks as though they’re swinging high above the city!

  • Weston Backyard Community Mural

    Along a path in Weston’s Elm Park, you’ll find a few furry and feathery friends on a wasabi-coloured garage. The client’s intention for this mural was to create a connection—and a gift—to the community. Wrapping around to a second wall, the mural continues into their backyard. To merge the 2 sides into one scene, the mural was designed to include common animals often spotted in the area, into an upward, sweeping landscape. Colours, trees and animals naturally integrate into the immediate surroundings of the garden and park. Children and parents play on one side, while neighbours are entertained on the other side.

  • Calling in the Rain

    Artist Leads: Amber Santos, Stephanie Kellett 

    Youth Artists: Narayani Shapovalova, Mikaela Rubak-Mazur, Yael Oosthuizen, Bethany Pardoe, Arusha Burns

    Youth Designers: Mason Voykin, Narayani Shapovalova, Mikaela Rubik-Mazur, Yael Oosthuizen, Bethany Pardoe, Arusha Burns

    Date: 2019

  • The History of Theatre on Yonge Street

    In collaboration with the Chelsea Hotel and Downtown Yonge BIA, this mural showcases Yonge Street’s theatre scene over the past century. The wall stretches 145-feet long with images of theatres, props and actors depicted in horizontal panels to look like a film strip. Life-size patrons and children line the pedestrian sidewalk, while vintage cars are painted on on the street side. 4 panels include realistic facades of 4 different theatres that were painted in black and white to give a timeless feel that adds to the historical theme.

  • The Optical Illusion Box

    From 1 specific vantage point, this box turns into an optical illusion. Once a solid grey, 4-sided structure, it now looks like an open frame revealing the trees that used to be hidden behind. Framing a section of nature in this way, brings a heightened sense of awareness and appreciation for the natural landscape around us. Additionally, as the seasons and climate changes, summer can still be enjoyed—and nature preserved—inside this box at Eglinton Flats.

    To see the illusion, stand on the red arrow (the vantage point) by the crosswalk. Aim your camera at the box and move it up and down until the edges of the actual sidewalk lines up with the edges of the painted sidewalk on the box. Voila!

  • The Future of Lakeshore Village

    Here’s the Lakeshore Village mural at Lakeshore Blvd West and TENTH Street This project was funded by The City of Toronto and administered by Lakeshore Village BIA. I responded to a call for muralists on Instagram and my submitted concept was the selected design. This mural depicts the respectful cohabitation of industry and nature required…

  • Art Libre / Free Art

    Art Libre – Free Art, murale réalisée par l’artiste Italien Millo, profite d’une visibilité exceptionnelle. Parsemée de références au Québec, elle rappelle avec une subtile ironie le rôle primordial que jouent l’art et la culture dans la vie des Montréalaises et des Montréalais. À l’instar des camions de cuisine de rue, l’art urbain nourrit, quant à lui, l’esprit des citoyennes et des citoyens!
    The mural, entitled Art Libre – Free Art, was created by the Italian artist Millo. It represents a number of local references and reminds us with subtle irony, the essential role played by art and culture in the lives of Montrealers.

  • Nurture versus Nature

    En 2018 et 2019, les Habitations Jeanne-Mance (HJM) entreprennent d’importants travaux de rénovation des stationnements. Ces travaux visent à renforcer l’engagement écologique des habitations en les dotant d’un second stationnement écologique permettant la récupération des eaux de pluie et la diminution des îlots de chaleur.
    In 2018 and 2019, the Habitations Jeanne-Mance (HJM) parking lots underwent major renovations. These revitalization projects focused on strengthening HJM’s commitment to the environment through the creation of a second green parking lot that allows rainwater infiltration and reduces the urban heat island effect.

  • Public Works

    L’Arrondissement de Ville-Marie, centre-ville a fait appel à MU pour réaliser une murale historique au clos Bercy, une ancienne rotonde de la Montréal tramways co.
    The Ville-Marie borough called upon MU to create a historical mural at clos Bercy, the former roundhouse of the Montreal Tramways Company.

  • Tropical

    Cette murale s’inscrit en continuité des démarches proposées par l’OPA (opération populaire d’aménagement) pour la reconversion du quartier. La murale viendra embellir l’environnement et ponctuer le paysage par de nouvelles couleurs.
    The creation of Tropical represents the efforts made by the OPA (opération populaire d’aménagement) for the redevelopment of the neighbourhood and will revitalize the area by lending it new vivid colours.

  • Exquisite Corps

    En 2018, c’est l’artiste de la relève Nikki Küntzle qui a relevé le défi en créant une murale aux couleurs lumineuses inspirée des jeux d’association.
    In 2018, emerging artist Nikki Küntzle, took the torch by creating a brightly coloured mural inspired by association games.

  • La Pangée

    Réalisation d’une première murale par l’artiste québécoise Danaé Brissonnet où se retrouvent des notions comme la communauté, l’enfance, la nature, l’origine. Des thèmes qui sont ressortis des rencontres entre l’artiste et les résidents des habitations.
    The mural was inspired by notions of community, childhood, nature and origins—themes that came up in meetings between the artist and André-Grasset residents.

  • Architecture Scolaire

    Produced by MU, the mural Architecture scolaire was created by Roadsworth and painted with the collaboration of 20 students (secondary 3, 4 and 5), and Isabelle Duguay (art educator) and William Patrick (assistant muralist).

    Ode to traditional school supplies, the artwork now indicated in a playful way the students entry to St.Laurent High School.

    Pursuing the space exploration defining his work, Roadsworth used by the concrete architecture of the arch to create illusions with actual proportions but giant format supplies.

  • Ensemble

    The design of this 650 square feet mural painted by Rafael Sottolichio evokes the human values that the Patro center itself conveys through its community involvement. It also celebrates the Patro’s 100th anniversary: “100 years in the hearts of the people”. The two silhouettes in the foreground represent the heart of the Patro: a couple, friends, family members, two people of different cultures or of different generations. All the figurative elements are taken from photographs belonging to the Patro archives. Inspired by his visits to the center, Rafael Sottolichio chose to juxtapose different styles by including graphic as well as black and white photographic elements obtained from the Patro archives.

  • Colours of Nelson

    Artists: Coleman Webb, Adrian Thibault, Bryn Stevenson, Rhoneil Eurchuck, Sergio Santos, Amber Santos, Hannah De Boer, Matty Kakes, Alex Caulford, Olivia Mansveld, Danan Lake, Dagan Cairn, Anais Ferrier, Brandon Brown, Ezra Slade, Raven Truth.