Mural on Garden Avenue at Roncesvalles by Lead Artist Philip Cote and Jim Thierry Bravo. Drone shot by Rodrigo Ardiles.
About the Mural
Entitled The Original People Leading to the Eighth Fire, the mural presents the stories of the indigenous peoples who first walked the land where Roncesvalles Village now stands. A few local buildings from the last century emerge from the word ‘Roncesvalles’ which is heavily intertwined with foliage. Integrated into the wordmark is a symbol for The Eighth Fire.
Jim Thierry Bravo and Phil Cote during the third community consultation on June 9, 2018.
About the Artists
Philip Cote and Jim Thierry Bravo bring together the sensibilities of a First Nations artist with those of a first generation Canadian artist. Bravo’s family immigrated to Canada in 1985 and settled in Toronto when he was young. Both have lived on Roncesvalles Avenue and are well known mural artists in this City. They have witnessed how the neighbourhood has changed in the past 30 years.
Stories and Symbols
Elder, teacher and artist, Philip Cote, shares some of the stories behind the spirits and symbols in this mural.
About the Site
The wall is 24′ high by 106′ wide and faces south onto Garden Avenue at Roncesvalles. It is on the south wall of the building at 149 Roncesvalles parallel to the Bike Share station.
Work in Progress
The making of The Original People Leading to the Eighth Fire, was documented by local videographer Sanjay Parker who produced this short video trailer.
Commission
In partnership with StreetARToronto (START), the Roncesvalles Village BIA commissioned lead artist Philip Cote and local artist Jim Thierry Bravo to design a mural for Roncesvalles Village at 149 Roncesvalles. It was officially launched on October 22, 2018.
Mural Painting Underway at Garden and Roncesvalles – May 15, 2018
Our gratitude
First we want to thank the artists Philip Cote and Jim Bravo for their inspiration and hard work during an extraordinarily hot summer.
Thank you also to the creative support team: Cote’s assistant, Nelly Torossian, who contributed a significant amount of time, and apprentices Fatima Ammari and Emmanuel Taylor.
Thank you to those documenting the process: Sanjay Parker who produced the video and audio files, Rodrigo Ardiles for his drone camera work and Ted Best for still photography.
Thank you to the Roncesvalles Village BIA Executive Director, Veronica Feihl who managed the project. And, to the RVBIA’s Street Art Advisory Committee: Ellen Moorhouse of Back Lane Studios, Gillian Bacher of Jewel Envy, Adam Langley of Guardian and Solarski Pharmacies, Len McAuley of Pollocks Home Hardware, and community members Alexis Victor and Alison Cooley, for your insightful guidance.
Thank you to Catherine Campbell of StART and to Mayor Tory for all your help.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of StreetARToronto (StART) and the City of Toronto, and from our local businesses Solarski Pharmacy & Welcome Guardian Pharmacy and Pollocks Home Hardware.
