It has always been our intention to honestly reflect the neighborhood issues that affect local communities. Many of the residents and commuters we encountered spoke with a mixed sense of pride and loss for a vibrant and multicultural area that’s struggling with violence and a true sense of ownership. It was with a deep sense of responsibility that our artists tackled these complicated issues that’s most likely magnified by the fact that it’s a public mural, and therefore a work-in-progress before everyone’s eyes.

So while we have had our numerous supporters, we’ve also had our critics who — while rightly justified to their own opinions — haven’t perhaps stopped to talk with our artists in-depth on these issues, and therefore have even misconstrued the community mural’s images and intentions.

Ultimately, these reactions have ultimately shown how effective our Eighth Planet mural team (http://eighthplanet.tumblr.com) has been in engaging with the Neptune and Lawrence Heights communities in identifying the challenges that affect them.

I hope then that the next time you stop by our mural this week, you’ll re-assess the final product, and look close enough to see reflections of a truly diverse Canadian community.

Thanks, Rea
Yorkdale Graffiti Transformation Project Coordinator