Garden Car and Graffiti: Memorable Street Art in Kensington Market
A little nod to Canada and its art scene
Dear Near-and-Far Friends,
It’s July 2nd, a day after Canada Day which is celebrated annually on July 1st. Why do I know this and why do I care? No, I’m not Canadian nor do I live there. However, my big kids do, so I’ve a connection to and affection for the country that has, in recent years, become my kids’ new adopted home.
In honor of Canada Day (a day late, I know), I’m writing today’s newsletter about one of my favorite Canada memories.
Visit to Kensington Market
I was in Toronto, Canada with my family in August 2023 to do another college drop-off, this time for my son. On one of our sightseeing days, my family and I went to Kensington Market. My daughter who had already been living in Toronto since 2018 was very familiar with the place, but it was the first time for my husband, our son, and myself to be there.
We loved the somewhat bohemian, artistic vibe and the multinational, multicultural diversity we saw in Kensington Market. It seemed to be filled with indie shops for vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, paintings, records, tattoos, etc. There were artsy cafes, gelato stores, and plenty of interesting food.
Plants growing out of a painted car
What really caught my attention was the street art. There was a parked car that was brightly painted and it had plants growing in it. It was marvelous to see, unique and interesting. I looked it up online and it turns out that this garden car in Kensington Market has been there since 2006! Amazing, such a cool project.
Sidewalk reminder to love yours
One simple and unforgettable piece of street art for me was a two-word phrase that was written on one of the sidewalks in Kensington Market. In script font, the words “love yours.” was there right by my feet, and it stopped me in my tracks. I took a photo, and until now it’s the wallpaper on the home screen of my phone. Something about its brevity and profoundness has continued to stay with me.
I also saw some brightly colored chalk graffiti on one of the streets in Kensington Market.
A famous purple bunny
I also noticed this bright, big purple bunny painted on one of the walls in Kensington Market. I looked it up online and it turns out that this purple bunny was painted by Toronto-based well-known graffiti artist Poser ABM. This bunny is just one of his iconic bunny graffiti paintings all around Canada and elsewhere.
I haven’t been back to Kensington Market since that visit in August 2023. I don’t know how much it has changed since then. I do hope I can visit it again someday.
I know that a lot of things have changed and continue to change in Toronto and in the rest of Canada, for better or worse. Canada is home to my kids right now, it is home to several of my closest friends. I’m rooting for you, Canada.
With love from your logophile friend who loves to travel, Lea
P.S. I came across this YouTube video by Eric D Realtor entitled “What is happening to Kensington Market?” I like how this creator put a lot of work into making a very informative and engaging visual story. He talks about the history of Kensington Market as a neighborhood of immigrants. It saddens me to see the photos of the many store closures and vandalism that are there now. I hope the neighborhood can be saved and made more vibrant and beautiful again for its residents.