TORONTO – A public artwork completed in mid-November was supposed to portray the effects of global warming but instead has garnered criticism from some Toronto residents due to its “scary” content.
The mural, located on Lawrence Avenue between Caledonia and Benton roads, was created by Essencia Arts Collective as part of the city’s StreetARToronto program to beautify neighbourhoods and counteract graffiti vandalism.
But some in the neighbourhood have complained about the dark imagery which has prompted a public meeting Tuesday evening.
The art group said in a Facebook post that the outcome of the mural will depend on the public forum and “each voice will make a difference.”
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“The Essencia Arts Collective also hopes that this will also give the chance for the community to talk about current and critical environmental issues as well as the impact of Public Art as a tool for social change and community empowerment,” the group said.
“We believe that artistic expression is our strongest tool, and that it can be used as a catalyst for expression and as a forum for dialogue.”
An online petition to protect the mural has been set up urging people to support the project from censorship.
“The residents in that area were caught by surprise, and some, not all, reacted negatively,” said Councillor Frank Di Giorgio.
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“Because the process was altered we ended up with an outcome that was different from the expected outcome.”
The mural was originally slated for an area along Jane Street and residents there were consulted, but it was moved last minute to a larger space — so images were added and the people in the area were not informed.
Shalak Attack, the artist who worked on the mural, said she hoped modifications won’t be necessary.
“It’s a whole story,” she said. “And when you take the story apart, it’s kind of taking it out of context. So one image makes sense with the other one beside it.”
The public meeting is being held between 6:45 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the Amesbury Community Centre, 1507 Lawrence Ave. W.
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