Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Leyland Cecco in Toronto

Guerrilla satirists skewer Toronto mayor by turning urban decay into public art

A plaque on a rusty beam with a view of Toronto behind.
Plaques from the satirical project AusterityTO highlight Toronto public buildings and elements of broken infrastructure as if they were works of art by the city's mayor, John Tory. Photograph: Tom Ruhig

Overflowing garbage bins. Crumbling roads and broken water fountains, scattered throughout Toronto. A chaotic downtown core, where cyclists battle with cars for use of the road.

For some, the disarray might signal urban decay and rudderless leadership. But to the pranksters behind the recently unveiled AusterityTO project it’s the work of a “bold, world-class artist” who is using Canada’s largest city as his canvas to create a sprawling public art project.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.