“The subject matter for this artwork, (the pike, the walleye, the water, sunsets and sunrises, the heron, the swan, trail patterns, foliage, ripples on the water) all came from two community consultations where local members stressed the significance of West Shore as an area of natural abundance and diversity. I interpreted these in the style of using bold colours, patterns and black lines that have featured in my work since the start of my creative practice. The use of bold black lines in particular, comes from a study of mark making and my early influences of comic books, tribal Indian art (eg. Kalamkari) Middle Eastern Textiles and later graffiti. The intent was for this artwork to be bold as a graphic style favored by some local youth, and also to visually enhance the features of the area to allow users of the park and the community centre to differentiate its surfaces.”  

-Fathima Mohiuddin

About the Artist

"I grew up in Dubai. I went to school with kids from 90 different countries. As teenagers we would all congregate at a skate bowl on the beach.

"In 2018 I painted a skatepark in Mimico, Toronto with Lakeshore Arts. I designed the piece based on vintage skateboard artwork and symbols I thought were relevant to the culture. For this particular project I spent some time observing the movements of skaters as they travel through the skate park that resulted in painting an eagle in flight. I shared this with skaters I know to ensure it made sense for them.

"The project also involved engaging emerging artists in the neighbourhood in priming and some painting (as per their abilities) and knowledge sharing during the process.

"I’m also interested to paint a skate park again because I think my skills as an artist have developed a fair amount since 2018 and I’d like to have another go at it. There were a lot of moments of learning in that project in 2018 which I feel will carry over to make this project even more successful."

To learn more, visit fatspatrol’s webpage.