This mural by artist John Kuna, is located on the east wall of the Royal LePage West realty building at 5110 Dundas St West. Although this mural is small – only 14’ x 18’ - it is blockbuster design painted in a style reminiscent of old postcards. The mural is set in the 1920's and depicts the old Guelph Radial Line. This line ran behind this site linking Islington to communities from Lambton Mills to Guelph. That was before the subway transformed Islington into a bedroom community. At the time it was a destination for family outings and weekend picnics.
Text from the plaque:
From 1917 to 1931 the old Guelph Radial Line, that ran behind this site, linked communities from Lambton Mills to Guelph. Forerunners of today's electric streetcars, radial trains were so named because they "radiated" from the city centre outwards to neighbouring towns and villages. Long before the construction of provincial highways, radial lines were part of a transportation network that facilitated the integration of communities such as Islington into what is now the Greater Toronto Region.
To evoke feelings of nostalgia, artist John Kuna used a painterly style recalling old coloured postcards and turn of the century paintings. Note how the radial masts are painted so as to form part of the adjacent building to convey a sense that the train is presently docked at station before carrying passengers onwards to their destination.
This is the sixth mural in the Islington Mosaic, a partnership of the Village of Islington BIA and the Heritage Etobocoke Foundation. It was financed by Islington business and property owners and funds donated by local developers.
Corporate sponsers include:
. Benjamin Moore & Company
. Village Paint
. Russ Dilworth Limitted - scaffolding
. Royal Lepage West - lighting
Mural Artist: John Kuna
John Kuna has dedicated himself to the art of professional mural painting almost immediately upon graduating from The Ontario College of Art and Design in 1997.
Today, his public and commercial works are featured in over 40 cities across Canada and the United States, including hallmark Canadian locations such as The Montreal Forum and The Skydome in Toronto. Recently, his art work also appeared on the popular "Greatest Canadian" program aired on CBC.
Apart from his achievements in this field, John also continues to develop his personal body of work, specializing in fine painting and portraiture. He has earned commissions from clients in The United Kingdom, Egypt, and The Czech Republic as well as throughout North America.
John was born in the Czech Republic, arriving to Canada when only ten years of age. Now based in Toronto, he continues to refine his style and technique drawing upon his travels and this city's vibrant cultural heritage for inspiration. Since murals are so accessible and can achieve so much to transform a public space, it is his sincere hope that his art continues to be of the best possible service to the viewing public and community.
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