Last weekend a horde of Torontorians jumped onto their bikes to get a glimpse of something that they only have a very rare chance to see – Melbourne street art. Twenty four practicing artists from here in Melbourne sent a big package of pasteups over to Canada to be put up around the streets of Toronto, all coordinated by a pair of great curators.

There were bikes, there was music, there was (and still is!) a crapload of art …read on for a wrapup, and a bunch of great pics from the event!!

“AUSTRALIAN STREET ART AT HOME IN TORONTO’S STREETS.

A night ride through the streets and alleys of Toronto last Friday night showcased some of Australia’s top street artists through the medium of the paste up.

Art de la Roo: An outdoor exhibition, was launched last Friday September 28th in Toronto’s West End with a night bike tour of 25 pieces by Australian street artists. The tour, led by curator Christy Shapley (Toronto) and co-curator/contributor, I & The Others aka Kirrily Anderson (Melbourne) was followed by a launch party at Bike Pirates, a volunteer run space, and featured performances by local artists.

An estimated 150 cyclists turned up at Dufferin & Queen Sts on Friday to take the hour long ride through the West End to see the paste up artwork by 24 Australian artists including Be Free, Facter, Klara, Lucy Lucy, Makatron, Phoenix, Ruskidd & Suki. The works on paper were pasted around alleys, streets and on the business walls of places such as The Great Hall, Belwoods Brewery and Get Well. The ride concluded at Bike Pirates on Bloor St with a party featuring performances by Olive-or-Oliver, Sonny B, Travis Freeman and Brixia Bloodbeard.
Toronto seemed unsure what to expect but works were received well by locals, inducing lots of iphone photos, thanks, and offering up of walls.

The artwork will last for an undetermined period of time and locals can see the work for as long as it lasts. Maps can be downloaded from www.artdelaroo.tumblr.com, and are also available from Bike Pirates and on community boards around the area.

Though a small pasting culture exists in Toronto, it is much less developed than that of Australia’s (in particular Melbourne’s) prolific scene. This exhibition provides a unique way of increasing interest in Australia’s active street art culture, spreading the paste up technique to Toronto’s artists and increasing awareness of street art as public art.

Here‘s a few photos for you to check out, and there are a heap more on the Art De La Roo Facebook page.

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Check out the following albums on the Art De La Roo Facebook page as well:

Art De La Roo Installation
Art De La Roo Night Ride
Art De La Roo Featured Pasteups