In Photos: Keele Graffiti Alleys

(click for extended, full-sized image)

Ever since I was old enough to ride the subway alone, I've wanted to get off at Keele Station to get a closer look at the long stretch of graffiti. Just north of Bloor St, and running from Keele to Dundas West, this incredible display of diverse graffiti has been a long-time wonder to subway passengers, who get a moving glimpse of the walls as the subway runs above ground between the two stations.

Not long ago, I loaded my fantastic plastic toy Holga camera with film and took random snapshots of colorful sections of the wall.

I don't know much about Toronto graffiti artists and which make contributions to the walls in this alley. I'm also not sure if local residents and shop owners condone or condemn it (although my assumption is that feelings are mixed). All I know is that it's been active and constantly changing since I was a child. Some of the pieces include reference to www.wallnoize.com which when visited says only "coming soon".

If you'd like to check it out yourself, here's a Google map that points to the Midas at Bloor & Keele. The graffiti wall starts just behind the Midas (at the most easterly exit of Keele Station) and runs east almost all the way to Dundas West station.

For more photos please also see the Toronto graffiti, street art and scribbles Flickr pool (filtered for "keele").