New public art walk aims to slow down the hustle and bustle of Toronto’s Financial District
By: Stephanie Ivanoff
In collaboration with property management group QuadReal and Toronto-based art curator Liza Zhurkovskaya, Commerce Court and Southcore Financial Centre, two of four office complexes located in the heart of the Financial District, have been elevated with bold, larger than life works of art.
Three Canadian artists created large-scale, vibrant artworks in the heart of Canada’s banking and finance industries in an effort to “celebrate aspects of ‘urban life,’” according to the Commerce Court’s website.
The murals were installed on Jan. 1 and because of the positive response from the public, they will stay up at least until the end of April, according to a press release by QuadReal representative.
Inside Commerce Court, located at 199 Bay St., tag-teaming Toronto-based artists Samara Shuter and Jessica Gorlicky, and solo New Brunswick-based artist Alexandrya Eaton each created two large-scale murals, to line the Melinda Corridor that leads to the King Subway Station. Since commuters walk through the corridor every day, it was the perfect location to showcase the six works, according to Kelly.
“We were looking to inspire and engage with both our office tenants as well as the public who walk through Commerce Court,” said Kelly.
Kelly said the mural by Eaton titled “Power Suits,” which depicts women in blazers, and the murals by Shuter titled “Ode To Pop,” and “Getting To Know You #8,” which depicts men in suits against brightly-coloured backgrounds, represent inclusivity.
“The ‘Brooklyn Babe’ piece by Jessica Gorlicky has a cool yet chic vibe, which makes it feel very urban and Toronto,” said Kelly. The artwork alongside the other murals work well to emphasize the theme of “urban life.”
“Each artist has a distinct style, but the combination of the pieces together work so brilliantly for this space and theme,” Kelly said. “There is something for everyone in our spaces and everyone is welcome.”
Eaton, who created “Power Suit” and “Little Black Dress” for the Art Walk, expressed her excitement toward creating large-scale art designated for the public eye.
“I think that it’s really interesting that it’s in a public space, and a busy place, [where] people are going to the subway or going to grab their lunch or rushing to work or an appointment,” Eaton said. “And the fact they’re larger than life size — I am curious to see how people are reacting.”
Eaton said she believes art is integral to each individual, but it has even more of an essential place in a society that is constantly moving at top speed.
“I think art in society has the ability to make people slow down. Our world is so fast now,” Eaton said. “There is nothing quite like standing in front of a painting and just stopping and experiencing and feeling something.”
