TorontoNAJC – March Update

March 1, 2016

TorontoNAJC and the New Wall Mural at the JCCC.

JCCC mural full length
Photos: Ron Shimizu

A huge new mural reflecting traditional and modern Japanese culture now fills a once blank wall at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto thanks to the efforts of artists Ken Galloway, Tim Fukukusa and Darcy Obokata.

JCCC mural JCCC muralThe painting is striking with its melange of images of samurai and women in kimono in juxstapostion with contemporary anime and sport figures in brilliant colours. The mural is part of a series of works including videos, street art and installations called “Japantown” initiated by Galloway, a TorontoNAJC board member for youth liasion which the chapter has supported over the past several years. Galloway, who also served as project coordinator on this project, organized the exterior wall mural of the well-known Japanese grocery store Sanko in the city several years ago . The same artists were a hit two years ago at the Matsuri held at Dundas Square in downtown Toronto with their Living Wall painting of a 8 foot by 12 foot wall with constantly changing images for the duration of the festival day.  Last July, at the Matsuri, Ken organized a crowd-happening of a giant Jan Ken Po competition which got the huge festival crowd participating. A unique feature of the mural is the incorporation of the video screen which will show videos of the various projects of “Japantown” in the making.   The mural is located on the second floor of the JCCC.