Graffiti Alley is one of my favourite spots in Toronto. When I first started writing Street Inspired, I visited Graffiti Alley and posted a series of beautiful murals, street art and graffiti.
Looking back at those pictures and visiting now, besides a few key, staple pieces, you could think it was an entirely different place. And that is what I love about street art and the essence of art in general. It is always changing, always moving, always developing. Even some pieces may remain, but be altered or added to. This is what makes street art so very special. Art is a reflection of life, or possibly life is a reflection of art. But life is never stagnant or unchanging. It always changes and so does street art.
Street art also has the ability to hold a mirror up to society and show what is going on and how people are feeling about it. During Rob Ford’s “high times” he was determined to eliminate every bit of street art possible. And during this time the streets were bombed and flooded with art pieces relating to the good ‘ol ex Mayor of Toronto.
As I went on a new venture to Graffiti Alley it was a bit of a rainy day, but after a nice Sunday Brunch the rain slowed to a trickle and stopped right upon entering the alley.
The rain has cleared
This next picture was one of my favourite pieces I saw the entire day:
Love me or Leave me alone
I love this for so many reasons. The mural shows a beautiful woman- wearing her heart quite clearly on her naked chest- Exposed for onlookers to take her as she is. As a women I go out, exposed to the world around me, and women are constantly judged, based on appearance, opinions or simply the fact that I am not interested in being hit on. This piece to me reflects that feeling of getting up, taking the time to look good and then dealing with a barrage of lovers or haters- or the haters who hate because you refuse to love them. Move along with your haterade! *damn, I got out of bed for this?*
Fency 😉
There’s never enough time to do the nothing you want
Sunny side up
I love subtle pieces, as you can see a collection I gathered in the past- and this piece definitely qualifies. In a wall full of bright colours, the egg was easy to miss- but this made it perfect to me.
Dead Man?
I love the way art can come together in unpredictable ways. Deadboy, a well known street artist who seems to be a little out of the scene lately, made his presence known here. It fits so perfectly with the ghoulish, mummy mural placed behind it.
Picasso Day Dreams
Bleeding Heart
Partner in crime for the day
One with the graffiti
After spending the day searching for the best pieces, which turned out to be a beautiful day, a little relaxing was needed. Graffiti hunting can be a tough job, but someones gotta do it, right? 😉
street Inspired 