Aboriginal Art

On By ResaIn Murals

I thought it said “Welcome”.

A month earlier I had driven by, and this mural graced a parking lot.

I finally had time to go back and capture this massive and fabulous mural.

When I got there, it was about to break ground to become a high rise.

I thought 2 things. 1- The mural will be blocked from view.

2- Where do all those cars I saw park now? I mean, there’s nowhere to park in the city.

Yay!! I found a small gap in the chain link fence, just enough to squeeze through.

I didn’t have to climb!

Here are some close ups of details.

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I found this on another Day.

Pics taken by Resa – July 12, 2023

Toronto Canada

Artist:

Philip Cote  https://twitter.com/PhilipCote7

Nowhere on the sign did it say “No Trespassing”!

139 thoughts on “Aboriginal Art”

    1. We’ll see if it remains. The way they pack high rises in, it’s doubtful. Street art is ephemeral. Still, I have it in my collection.
      Thanks for the compliment on my photos! 🤗

    1. Yes, welcome, welcome, welcome!
      I just had to get this art. I found the wee gap while perusing for a good place to climb. It was meant to be!
      🐂 🐂🐂🐂💋

    1. Welcome Diana!
      I’m thrilled that I got in there! It’s crazy how fast it went from a parking lot to a construction site.
      I love Aboriginal art. I found a Thunderbird that blew me away, but there was a big ass 4 wheel drive parked right up against it. There was no way to capture it, even half decently. I shall return!!!!!

  4. Timothy Price's avatar Timothy Price

    You squeezed through and didn’t get caught and banned for life! You are a fantastic Paparazza. That is a wonderful mural. I’m happy you got it before they pave paradise and put up a high rise and parking lot.

    1. I squoze through! Thank you, I consider that a compliment coming from a fellow Paparazza.
      It was so fast. I returned in about a month… and it’s a construction site.
      xo

      1. Timothy Price's avatar Timothy Price

        I probably would have been caught and banned for life. I’m happy you squoze through. Sign of a true photographer.

        1. Yeah! You may have been caught, but you could have admitted you were shooting owls.
          With raised eyebrows, they’d play it safe, and walk away!
          True photographers shoot owls.
          OH, you could have added magic tress, and sealed the deal! xo

  5. I think that sign read “Welcome” in another language. 🙂 What a gorgeous mural! I hope it won’t be hidden by whatever will be built. Your use of “aboriginal” interests me as I thought that only referred to indigenous people in Australia. I would have thought “indigenous” would be used here. I’m not saying your usage is incorrect, jut interesting to me.

    1. It will probably be obliterated by the high rise. I’ll be keeping a look out.
      Yeah, we use Aboriginal here.
      The Canadian Constitution recognizes 3 groups of Aboriginal peoples: Indians (more commonly referred to as First Nations), Inuit and Métis. These are 3 distinct peoples with unique histories, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
      Indigenous is also used.
      Thanks Janet!

    1. It really is strong. It was a thrillto shoot it.
      You have a fab weekend, too, Martha.
      Oh, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, but if you do….have fun!

  8. That is a great mural! To bad its future doesn’t look great 😦 Glad you decided to read the lack of “No Trespassing” as “Do what you want, but know we are watching you” and got those wonderful pictures so you can share this find with us! I do really like indigenous art of all types and wished we respected the cultures of the aboriginal people much more than we do.

    1. Unfortunately, big or small, if it’s in the street it’s days are numbered. It is definitely an ephemeral art form.
      It makes me think of music, in a way. If you play live music, the band jams…it goes into the air, and it’s gone. Does it survive in the universe as a from of energy, or wave?
      Yes, it can be recorded, but it’s a recording.
      The street art might last longer than music performed live, but it will be gone one day.
      Yes, I can take a pic of it, but it’s a photo.
      There you go, making me think again!
      Yes, more respect is needed. We have a real issue up here with missing aboriginal women. Some are found… too late. Most remain missing.

      Have a great weekend!

      1. I read an artist saying that some concerts are talked about in revered tones by fans and the musicians alike, but if you listen to the recordings, there is nothing special. It is an energy and a connection between the players and listeners. Perhaps it does live on in the wider universe, though, for sure, it lives on in the life experience of the people there…
        I do think people influence the land around them, and the land influences them, and I don’t mean with axes and bulldozers. There are places I have visited where I could feel that my ancestors were part of the landscape, and I can feel the indigenous people as I experience the landscape here in North America. The personality and energy is still there, even if new energy has been added. Perhaps the music, the art, the words and deeds, do get absorbed in the surroundings. The energy does live on.
        Been improvising on the main melody of Paint it Black tonight. Very loud (for me). I wonder if that is being absorbed?
        You too, have a great weekend!

        1. Yeah! That’s the magic of music.
          No wonder I married a musician.

          Not sure how far we are getting with our attempts to put things right with our indigenous population. There are members of government now, we extoll their art, we celebrate their culture, yet we have had water advisories on some of the reserves for 25 years.
          Also, there is a weird thing going on with the disappearance of First Nations women. Many are found after it’s too late.

          Okay! Paint it Black. I’m looking forward to what you do with that!! Yay!
          Have you heard the Stones new release video “Angry”?

          1. Hate to disappoint you – at least for now Paint it Black is just having fun. It was just one of those ephemeral things we have been talking about 😉 I am working on something new, so maybe I will come back to The Stones when I’m done. I did hear one of their new songs, but I was doing something so only half paid attention.

            1. LOL!
              I look forward to whatever you compose.

              I don’t hate the Stones new song”Angry” ….but it seems like a cop out, all production, no edge, and definitely no angry.
              Maybe I’ll like something on the album better!

              1. It’s like the new Beatles song. Yeah, it is fine, but I could have lived without it… As to the Stones, it is hard to be angry when you are 80 something year old millionaires 😉

        1. LOL!
          I just finished the Boer War outfit drawings.
          I might do some touch ups, but am now beginning research on traditional wedding gowns and traditionally inspired wedding gowns.
          What is your family heritage?

          1. That’s awesome, I’m so excited about about the wedding gowns. I love wedding gowns so much❤️.
            I know your designs will be breathtaking. My heritage is Welsh and Nordic. Sending big hugs sweet Meece xo 🐭🐭xo.

                1. YES! and we get to do our own Art Gowns take. We can do 2. One for AGM Holly… I see lacing and long pointy angel sleeves and a v- drop from the waist.
                  RR swaddled in a massive (fake) fur robe of sorts with dramatic sleeve … open front swooping away exposing a dramatic plunging bodice…perhaps out of metal or leather…like a breast plate.
                  xoxoxo

  11. Hm…technically the sign doesn’t say “No Trespassing” – I think you found a legal loophole there (which is funny as there is a famous solicitor in the UK nicknamed “The Loophole Lawyer” who gets people off charges by using legal technicalities. But lucky for us you risked crossing the law and shared another fabulous art find and photos, so thank you!
    p.s. is that police sirens I hear in the background…..RUN!

  18. I imagine this mural tells a story. I wonder if the dots on the faces are tears?
    The more I look at it, the more I like it. Is it on a wall of a building or freestanding? It looks framed like a billboard. Have you looked it up to see if there is info about it?
    Thank you for sharing it!

      1. Oh, so it is a story! “Philip Cote’s mural tells the creation story of the Anishinaabe people. It shows the first man, the first woman and their sacred union. “I’m really interested in telling our story because I couldn’t hear that story anywhere when I was growing up,” Mr. Cote says. “I know that it’s important for our young people to have a sense of place, a sense of belonging and a sense of identity.”

        1. Yes! Thanks for this, Merril!
          I started to read. I got as far as Anishinaabe people. It shows the first man, the first woman ….
          The ding thing on the stove went off. I’m finally back, sitting with a coffee.
          My N got effin Covid. I’m still testing negative, and feel okay. He moved next door into his studio.
          Now, nurse Resa is going back and forth, up and down (in a KN95) with food, clean clothes, taking temp, etc.
          I could still come down with it, so have been making soup, fruit pie, stew …survival food.
          I’ve got groceries being delivered tomorrow with lots of citrus, fruits, veggies, Cat supplies…. and more.
          AAaarrrrggghh!

                1. Thank you for asking, Merril!
                  N is still sick, and living in his studio. Im still okay, and testing negative. I’ll be in the clear from his infection at the end of the weekend. Sigh!

    2. OH! It is on something like a long giant billboard. Funny, but when I put an image into Google image search, it did come up. That’s how I found it was Philip Cote. Also, one of my older posts of First Nations art came up. Yay! (Winnipeg 2014)

  19. I love how vibrant this piece is, and how it’s framed as if it is hanging in a museum. Which, come to think of it, isn’t the world the largest museum we have going?

    1. Dahling! The world is a museum, and more!
      Well, they’re gonna build a high-rise there, so will we still see it?
      So happy. to see you!
      MUAH!

  22. The mural is like a panorama framed in black. The fence is an ugly distraction and makes it hard to view but I guess they were trying to protect it. Glad you were able to slip in safely!

  23. Your words gave me goosebumps, Resa. “It makes me think of music, in a way. If you play live music, the band jams…it goes into the air, and it’s gone. Does it survive in the universe as a from of energy, or wave?”

    I believe words, art, must, dance – energize our world with ideas. Ideas cannot be silenced – they exist within the realm of thoughts and imagination. History has shown that ideas have the power to transcend time and societal constraints, often leading to significant social, political, and cultural changes.

    Superb photography, Resa – that sparks our minds and reminds us that there is power in what we do. May we seek positive outcomes for all. Many hugs.

  24. I love this, Sorceress… and even if it does get hidden, you captured it and gave it a longer life by sharing it with us. Love the moccasin identifier!
    Beauty… just beauty.

    1. Yeah! I had to have it.
      The moccasin identifier is a huge bonus!
      I found a gorgeous Thunder Bird, but it was in a parking slot filled with a big ass 4 wheel drive urban monster ( we really need more of those) and sun’s shadows. xo⚡️💥ox
      Hope I can find it again!

  28. Oh… how wonderful that you captured it, dahling! I love the fish! I wonder what it symbolizes.
    Sending love and hugs and
    lots of slobberies!
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

    1. The fish… fertility? I’m still learning. This mural is about the first man and woman, I believe.
      Merril found- “Philip Cote’s mural tells the creation story of the Anishinaabe people. It shows the first man, the first woman and their sacred union. “I’m really interested in telling our story because I couldn’t hear that story anywhere when I was growing up,” Mr. Cote says. “I know that it’s important for our young people to have a sense of place, a sense of belonging and a sense of identity.”

      That does it! I’m enrolling in slobbering classes!
      xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽xoxo🧽🧽

    1. Agree!I just love it. I’m thrilled you got to see it.
      I was thinking of you last night when I was watching the 1912 silent movie “Cleopatra”.
      I read that in 1912, the discovery of a well-preserved painted limestone bust of Nefertiti, raised interest in ancient Egypt. (maybe on your blog)

      Whatever the reason for making “Cleopatra” in 1912 I found the interpretation of the costumes and sets most interesting. Clunky by today’s standards, I was nonetheless keen on watching it.
      The story was painful. It seems history has changed somewhat.
      Just thinking right now, that was also the year of the Titanic.
      🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

      1. Oh yes, Trauma! I love that movie. I think they made such history movies much better (more sensitive) than those in sixties and seventies. Nice to know your companion in this way. 😊 💖🙏✌️🫂🌹

      1. It would. I seem to remember that Gigi used to chain herself (and her kids) to lampposts in a protest or the other. You can always ask for her legal advice… 😉

  34. Pingback: Aboriginal Art #Toronto | GoodnightNina.

  37. Bonjour

    Mon ami amie je viens te souhaiter de joyeuses fêtes

    Que ton Noël avec chacun de tes tiens soit heureux
    Mon amie Joyeux Noël pour toi

    Pendant toutes ces années de t’avoir connue a été un cadeau pour moi
    Que ton Noël ne soit que joie
    Merci ami, amie pour ton amitié

    Joyeuses fêtes mon Amie, Ami
    Mon respect et estime te sont infinis
    Un ami qui pense à toi

    En ces derniers jours de l’année 2023 Bernard

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