Forest City Panorama

The great thing about public art is its capacity to reflect variety of style and diversity of substance. And this is very apparent when one comes across Amsa Yaro and Rain Bloodworth’s Forest City Panorama; an undeniably idiosyncratic mural that was painted in 2022.

Compositionally strong, with illustrative brushwork, the mural seems to resemble or suggest a gigantic comic strip that tells a story of people and place. But what is the story? A cartoon tree forms a focal point, we are the Forest City, while its roots form the comic strip panels that suggest our connection and rootedness to and through our community. Houses, familiar buildings, and architectural landmarks, along with local businesses, like K-Laba, are portrayed along the top and bottom of the mural with whimsical vigour. A cast of colourful characters, perhaps those who live in the OEV, are styling, with flare, the latest trend; butterfly glasses. Yaro has said that this aspect represents “metamorphosis and change,” a common thread amongst all individuals despite our diverse backgrounds and outlook on life.

Indeed, the Old East Village itself has recently experienced monumental changes through road construction and property development. To wit, the picture frames hanging on the right bring to bear memories of significant places, some of which no longer physically exist. Yet other blank frames are waiting to hold new memories of spaces yet to be. But throughout all of this, we are encouraged by the bold lettering on the top left corner, that the OEV is a fundamentally inclusive community based on Love and understanding.

Image sourced from the Tourism London website, https://www.londontourism.ca/murals