The ‘Come as you are, Uniquely you’ mural was launched on May 14, 2022 with Jonathan Van Ness. The mural’s lead artist is Curtia Wright and curator is Monica Wickeler. Supported by Street Art Toronto and JVN Hair.
Find the mural at 701 Queen St E in Toronto’s Riverside neighbourhood – it is best viewed from Broadview Ave just south of Queen E
Jonathan Van Ness at the May 14, 2022 launch of the mural (Photo credit: Riverside BIA)
Come As You Are, Uniquely You’ – 2022
Location: 701 Queen E, east-facing wall (best viewed from Broadview Ave – south of 705 Queen E)
Artist: Curtia Wright (website: curtiawright.com/, IG curtia)
Artist Statement:
Love and passion flow through the JVN brand and I wanted to capture this by depicting figures with beautiful flowing hair cascading through the design reminiscent of waterfalls. The brand treats a diverse array of hair types from tight curls to straight hair. JVN is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community and supporter of people and their differences. I wanted to show a diverse array of people accompany Jonathan in the centre. The JVN brand is also focused on leaving a smaller environmental footprint and uses natural components in their ingredients such as coconut, moringa, basil, tangerine, jasmine etc which inspired the design and colour. I included natural elements such as flowers and butterflies to communicate this message.
About the Artist:
Curtia Wright is a multi-disciplinary Fine Artist, Mural Artist Illustrator, and Arts Educator based in Toronto. She received her BFA at OCAD University in the Drawing and Partnership Program in 2015 and currently teaches at Durham College. Her artwork re-imagines our reality using elements of fantasy and surrealism in a diverse array of mediums and styles.
Participating Artists:
Lead artist Curtia Wright, Assistant Artist: Gosia Komorski, Philip Saunders and Moises Frank. Mentee Artists: Rocelle David, Site Coordinator and Safety Rep: Liam Little.
Supported by:
JVN
https://jvnhair.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jvnhair/
StreetARToronto
https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/enhancing-our-streets-and-public-realm/streetartoronto/
https://www.instagram.com/start_streetartoronto/