Downtown Yonge Artwalk

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Polaris Music Prize x Haviah Mighty

  • Printed poster
  • 2019
  • 21 Granby Street (TTC McGill Granby Station)

About the artwork

This public artwork, in collaboration with Downtown Yonge BIA, is a giant mural version of the poster design made for Haviah Mighty’s album 13th Floor nominated for the 2019 Polaris Music Prize.

The same year, Haviah became the first Hip-Hop artist, as well as the first Black woman, to win the Polaris Music Prize for her album 13th Floor. The project highlights Haviah’s relentless work ethic and vast sonic influences.

About the artist

Alexis Eke is an illustrator and designer based in Toronto. Inspired by Renaissance portraits and traditional Japanese art, she illustrates Black women in a contemporary light. Her mission is to expand the representation of Black women in design and to evangelize, by creating a space for audiences to deeply reflect on themselves and their relationship with God.

With the foundation of a strong female Caribbean upbringing and relationship with God, she aims to use these important aspects to design a unique space for audiences to view her work. Growing up with women with strong personalities, she has always viewed women as resilient and independent. This has later been translated into her artwork, as all of her illustrations are of women, to reflect her cultural and personal experience.

Her clients include Adidas, the Art Gallery of Ontario, CBC, Globe and Mail, Nike Jordan, Palm BaySpritz, Polaris Music Prize––among others.

Fun facts

  • The artist is often asked “What do the white lines in your work mean?” For Eke it is quite simple: The white lines connect from the eyes to the mouth to represent what we see and influence how we express ourselves and treat others.

Engagement questions

  • What do you think of this artwork and would like to see more of the artist around your neighbourhood?
  • Does this artwork make you curious about what it represents?
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