Creative Realism

A creative take on realism, which is generally the attempt to represent subject matter truthfully, without artificiality and avoiding speculative fiction and supernatural elements.

  • 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!

  • Sans Titre – XRAY

    Cette murale s’inscrit dans la série « Au coeur de la création culturelle » initiée en 2007 dans le quartier latin. L’artiste y a représenté toutes les activités culturelles qui animent les nuits du quartier, le cinéma, les spectacles, la musique, la danse. La littérature y est représentée par un livre ouvert et le regard d’Emile Nelligan.
    This mural is a part of the At the heart of cultural creation series, initiated in the Quartier Latin in 2007. The artist represented all of the cultural activities that bring the neighbourhood to life at night: cinema, concerts, music and dance. Literature is represented by an open book and Émile Nelligan’s gaze.

  • Hommage à Denise Pelletier

    L’œuvre a été réalisée dans le cadre de la collection Hommage aux bâtisseurs culturels montréalais, qui vise à reconnaître l’inestimable contribution des créateurs de la métropole de différentes disciplines artistiques, qu’ils soient montréalais d’origine ou d’adoption, au rayonnement local, national et international.
    This artwork is part of the Montreal’s Great Artists series, which aims to honour the contributions of the city’s brightest creative minds. Montrealers by birth or by choice, their work has left an indelible mark on a wide variety of artistic disciplines at local, national and international levels.

  • La grande verte

    Dans le cadre du 375e de Montréal et pour souligner les liens étroits qui unissent la France au Québec, le Consulat de France à Montréal et des entreprises françaises ayant un siège à Montréal ont souhaité léguer une œuvre d’envergure. L’artiste français Julien Colombier a été choisi pour réaliser une œuvre qui met en valeur et prolonge l’aménagement paysagiste du Jardin de Lyon.
    This large-scale mural was created for Montreal’s 375th anniversary. The Consulate of France in Montreal and French corporations with major offices in Montreal commissioned it to highlight the close ties between France and Quebec. French artist Julien Colombier was chosen to create an artwork that highlights and extends the landscaping in the Jardin de Lyon.

  • 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.

  • Hommage à Alanis Obomsawin

    Conçue par Meky Ottawa, une artiste Atikamekw de la relève, la murale célèbre l’engagement de Mme Obomsawin dans la défense des Premières Nations, et plus particulièrement des droits et de l’éducation des enfants autochtones.
    Designed by emerging Atikamekw artist Meky Ottawa, the mural celebrates Ms. Obomsawin’s commitment to the defense of First Nations, and more specifically the rights and education of Aboriginal children.

  • Coexistence

    CASE a choisi de représenter la relation paradoxale qui lie l’humain à la nature en se focalisant, comme à son habitude, sur la main dont la gestuelle permet d’être comprise de tous-tes. En prenant pour modèle une personne locale, il ancre plus encore son œuvre sur le territoire dans lequel elle se trouve.
    The artist CASE chose to represent the paradoxical relationship that binds humans to nature by drawing attention to an open hand, a familiar gesture that draws viewers forward. He used a local as a model for the work, thus anchoring the mural into a Montreal-specific context.

  • 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.

  • Mother Nature

    The mural is located on the northern retaining wall along Finch Ave W between Kipling Ave and Islington Ave.

    This year’s murals will visually share authentic stories that celebrate building strength, connection and community through developing our relationship with the natural world.
    [Excerpt from: https://www.womenpaint.org/2019]

    Artist: Desire Betty

  • 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.