In September, the Riverside BIA held an inaugural celebration for the “River of Life” mural. As a landmark and wayfinding feature for the future Ontario Line station, the installation of this mural by Indigenous artist Que Rock is an important milestone for the neighbourhood.
“River of Life” is located on the south side of the Ontario Line Bridge underpass, just east of Fontbonne Ministries’ Mustard Seed location.
If you want to see photos from the inauguration ceremony, click on the blog post linked below!
BLOG: “River of Life” Mural Celebration Highlights
In attendance during the inauguration ceremony were representatives from the City of Toronto, Riverside BIA, Metrolinx, and the artists.
This mural was brought to life by lead artist Quentin Commanda a.k.a. Que Rock, with contributions from guest mural artist Alex “Vizsla” Bacon and Sadie Marshall, and mentorship of Indigenous artist Shawni-Nodin Nanaokase.
The “River of Life” mural project was facilitated by the Riverside BIA, with funding support from the City of Toronto and FedDev Ontario through the Transit Construction Mitigation Fund, as well as support from Metrolinx.
From vibrant flora to diverse fauna, there are many elements depicted in this expansive mural.
In the middle of the “River of Life” is the Medicine Wheel, which acts as the visual and spiritual centre of the composition. Other elements in the mural are oriented toward it.
Throughout the mural, the nations and animals are shown approaching and looking toward the Medicine Wheel. This arrangement references the Six Nations Peace Treaty story, creating a visual representation of coming together, peace and interconnectedness.
The breathtaking Blue Heron on the left edge of the mural references the Crane Family in Anishinaabe culture, associated with strong values and leadership. The Blue Heron was painted by guest artist Alex “Vizsla” Bacon, who was invited by Que Rock to contribute to the project.
The upper fish represents the spirit of all fish, while the lower fish represents salmon. They reference Nanabozho and other Anishinaabe spiritual and cultural teachings. The Bear represents the Bear Nation with its connection to Medicine/the Medicine Wheel.
The water represents memories carried through time and connects the mural to the land, waterways and landscape that surround Riverside. Aside from being connected to the creation story, the silhouettes within the water represent animals that community members identified as ones they hoped to see represented in the mural.
Lastly, the “Welcome to Riverside” — in Riverside BIA colours, of course — connects it directly to the community in which it is located. It reinforces the visual identity of the BIA and serves as a recognizable landmark for the neighbourhood.
More than just animating a public space, the “River of Life” mural connects Indigenous stories and artistic traditions with the contemporary Riverside community, reflecting a place where past, present and future meet.
For a more in-depth breakdown of the “River of Life”, its imagery and themes, watch this video narrated by lead artist Que Rock himself.
Head over to Toronto’s Riverside and see our new landmark mural! In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog for regular updates on public art in Riverside.
Photos by Riverside BIA