Commissioned in 2020 by McIntosh Gallery and the late James Patten, but postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project will move forward in 2023 with a series of community tile-making workshops. These workshops will see the creation of hundreds of tiles to be included in the mosaic mural, with the participation of equity-seeking groups and people with lived experience. Seeking to address the stigma surrounding substance use, the resulting mosaic will honour those lost to overdose and mark the community’s commitment to recognizing, valuing, and safeguarding the lives and wellbeing of people who use substances. The mural will be completed by the summer and displayed at the entrance of the new Carepoint building at 446 York St., offering an appealing and deeply meaningful feature to the neighbourhood.
"The human connections made in the tile making workshops is where the real beauty lies, and the resulting mosaic friezes are merely a receipt of those events,” says Day. “My hope is that a new Canadian or person who uses subtances can walk past an installation they took part in making and feel that the wall or walkway belongs to them.” The mural at Carepoint will pay tribute to those we have lost to overdose and individuals accessing the program, as well as the frontline staff, supportive Londoners, community leaders and partners who have contributed to the ongoing success of the service.
In the coming months, we look forward to welcoming community to tile-making workshops to take part in this exciting project! Check back soon for updates.
Press
- Mural to convey theme of caring at supervised drug treatment site (CBC News)
- 12,000 tiles, one goal: Mosaic project honours lives lost to overdoses (London Free Press)
About McIntosh Gallery
A university-based, public art gallery since 1942, McIntosh Gallery collaborates with artists, curators and academics to develop innovative strategies to interpret and disseminate visual culture. Exhibitions, educational programs and special events provide a platform for engagement with visual art and artists. McIntosh Gallery acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada through its Museums Assistance Program (MAP), the Canada Council for the Arts through its Assistance to Art Museums and Public Galleries Program, the Ontario Arts Council, the London Arts Council, Western University, Foundation Western, and generous donors.
About Susan Day
An established artist whose work has been exhibited and celebrated across Canada and internationally, Susan Day has collaborated with the local community to create many large-scale tile murals and installations. The forthcoming mural will mark the artist’s eighth public work in London. Visit susandayceramics.ca to learn more about the artist.