 Skeleton Graffiti, Graffiti Alley |  Eagle Graffiti, Graffiti Alley |  'Toronto' Graffiti, Graffiti Alley |
Stroll down Toronto's Graffiti Alley and you might be lucky enough to watch popular Canadian comedian and TV personality Rick Mercer filming a weekly episode. This street-full of art has been a vibrant backdrop to many a political rant.
But I highly recommend a wander down these alleys on quieter days. All that artwork deserves center-stage in a city already known for more than our share of great wall-art. Over a kilometer of alley and meandering offshoots is transformed from stereotype back-alley creepy gloom into one loud in-your-face splash of colour. There's no space for that old stereotype when Toronto's own POSER plasters my view with another of his freaky bunny portraits. Or KWEST , known to produce some of TO's best graffiti, plasters an entire wall with entwined branches and hot colour.
Bright painted telephone poles, dripping windows, spray-painted grass - you name it - every reachable surface collaborates in one piece of art or another. But here's the incontestable sign that graffiti artists are truly dedicated: Every year Toronto's Style in Progress group paints over a large portion of Graffiti Alley's artwork and starts fresh. Yes really - all that beautiful work gone! But a clean fresh canvas for a whole load of new art. The good news is a year from now I'll be back in Graffiti Alley for another round of wandering, and a whole new gallery!
And how to get there? I could talk to you about street cars and trusting Google Maps, but why not get to know the locals instead? Look for two oldtimers with long white beards. Trucker Dan and Cowboy - best find of the day - the nicest old guys, and we liked them even more when they told us about Graffiti Alley!
For more information: TripAdvisor, TorontoTourism.com
But I highly recommend a wander down these alleys on quieter days. All that artwork deserves center-stage in a city already known for more than our share of great wall-art. Over a kilometer of alley and meandering offshoots is transformed from stereotype back-alley creepy gloom into one loud in-your-face splash of colour. There's no space for that old stereotype when Toronto's own POSER plasters my view with another of his freaky bunny portraits. Or KWEST , known to produce some of TO's best graffiti, plasters an entire wall with entwined branches and hot colour.
Bright painted telephone poles, dripping windows, spray-painted grass - you name it - every reachable surface collaborates in one piece of art or another. But here's the incontestable sign that graffiti artists are truly dedicated: Every year Toronto's Style in Progress group paints over a large portion of Graffiti Alley's artwork and starts fresh. Yes really - all that beautiful work gone! But a clean fresh canvas for a whole load of new art. The good news is a year from now I'll be back in Graffiti Alley for another round of wandering, and a whole new gallery!
And how to get there? I could talk to you about street cars and trusting Google Maps, but why not get to know the locals instead? Look for two oldtimers with long white beards. Trucker Dan and Cowboy - best find of the day - the nicest old guys, and we liked them even more when they told us about Graffiti Alley!
For more information: TripAdvisor, TorontoTourism.com
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