From bricks to bombs: A gallery of Brick Works graffiti
'One of the key themes of the site is about our heritage and heritage conservation,' says Robert Plitt, manager of sustainability for Evergreen. 'The heritage of the site is not simply around brick-making. There was a 20-year period where the site was abandoned and it was home to a whole different culture.'Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
'It's a time capsule of people who travelled through here,' says Lisa Martin, managing director of Well and Good, a studio of Toronto-based art promoters specializing in graffiti and street art.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Toronto's diversity can be seen in the Brickworks graffiti, which is equally fluid, jagged and pictorial. 'It's hard to say what the Toronto style is,' says Steve Ferrara, founder of Well and Good.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Ms. Martin on the essence of graffiti: 'It's the purest form of expression, when you think about it. I'm going to put myself at risk, I'm going to do this on my own time. Those are traits that, when you get to the core of them, are not destructive traits.'Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
A graffito by Chuck, whose tag is ubiquitous at the Brick Works. 'Chuck is a young upstart who is really talented,' Mr. Ferrera says.
A piece by street artist Nektar.
This work by New York graffiti artist Utah was completed before she was jailed in the U.S. for vandalism.
For the accidental viewer, the opacity of graffiti should come as no surprise: 'They?re writing for other writers,' says Ms. Martin. 'Most of this was never meant for public consumption.'Peter Power/The Globe and Mail