I am a strong believer in the philosophy that art can be a method of healing and therapy, and repair a wounded soul. Growing up in a new-age-y and spiritual household, others scoffed that this mind set and believed that it was only within the walls of a hospital that one could heal. On Thursday night, tucked away in the heart of downtown Toronto, these two approaches to healing came together as one.
Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Canada
On May 30th, Art Battle Canada literally painted the halls of the recently demolished University of Toronto Women’s College Hospital. As a benefit to raise money for the newly modelled facility, beginning at 8 o’clock, 75 artists from all over the city, country, world even, had 75 minutes to create a masterpiece on the walls of one the abandoned surgery rooms, nurses stations, or patient quarters, all in an hopes to have their mural voted best by the attendees, and awe-struck visitors. It’s safe to say: art was everywhere.
Paint-the-Halls Crowd
Art was even on the doors!
I wish I could adequately express – nay, recreate the atmosphere of this event. The walls of the hospital were the canvas, accompanied by an incredible DJ, wine or your very own drinkable I.V. blood bag (read: vodka and cranberry)!
I. V. Bags full of fun liquids? Unheard of!
Have you ever walked into an O.R. and been overwhelmed by splatters, colours, and splashes? Let me rephrase that: Have you ever walked into an O.R. if you aren’t a doctor? Probably not! I sincerely hope that none of you need to be in an O.R., but what I’m asking is – how often do you walk into a surgery room and just want to dance??
Wall of the surgery room
Artists at Work
The only way I can best describe the artwork that was created is by saying: It was juicy, and I just wanted to sink my teeth into the murals because they were ripe with delicious impasto strokes and color.
Juciy, right??
I thought I would share some of my favourites – who would you vote for? Beware, there are a lot of great works to choose from:
In progress, by Keita MorimotoKeita Morimoto
Artwork by Zara
Creation by NoraTTC Streetcar, by Art
The Surgery Suits
A Creation by Frank Perna
Of course, I could not be around empty walls and palettes full of wonderfully colored paint without finger painting myself. I felt compelled to leave a mark in the spirit of original art on Zatista!
This won honourable mention, of course.
Look out for more Art Battle events. These are creative experiences not to be missed.
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You have the wrong winner posted and you managed to get the second and third place winners but not first place.
Thank you for bringing this up. It appears I have. The winner was Adam, with the TTC Streetcar if I now remember correctly. I will be sure to fix this.
Thank you