Tom Yum Restaurant contains a number of freehand murals done by artist Alexander Bacon, making a splash against white walls. The murals consist of a lotus flower, female Buddha Kwan Yin and an elephant and are painted in the same palette with hues of purple, pink and blue. Despite the restaurant’s large size, the floor-to-ceiling windows which reveal the beautiful mural artwork inside, its Grenville location is almost hidden on the quieter side street tucked between Bay and Yonge.
Explore
Tom Yum Restaurant Murals
- Paint
- 2021
- 21 Grenville Street, Toronto
About the artwork
About the artist
Canadian painter and internationally acclaimed graffiti artist, Alexander Bacon, was born and raised in Toronto and has become a renowned mural artist with over 20 years of experience. Bacon, who began painting in the 90’s as a teenager is best known for his colourful works lining the alleys and streets of Toronto. He describes the art form as being passed down from one generation to the next. Using spray paint as the main medium, Bacon’s work has evolved towards deconstructing traditional spray graffiti techniques to create an abstract style while preserving letters’ shapes. The technique behind his work presents a unique painting style where he produces soft color transitions, blending abstract forms with realism and expressionism. His use of a mature colour pallet and mixing of realism with the stylized graffiti fonts gives his work a unique look with smooth transitions and texture.
Fun facts
- Alexander Bacon’s work can be seen all over Toronto so keep an eye out for his distinctive style.
- Bacon’s has a devoted following and large social media presence with almost 40 thousand followers on Instagram.
Engagement questions
- How do you respond to Bacon’s signature abstract painting style?
- How do you think custom murals in a restaurant setting make the places more enticing?
