Summerburst: A New Mural at the Foot of Yonge Street

POSTED: JUNE 22, 2023

BY: SHURAINE OTTO-OLAK

In This Blog:

• Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront Business Improvement Area commissioned a new temporary mural at the foot of Yonge Street. 

• The mural is called Summerburst, by Toronto-based artist Wandy Cheng, and will be on display through the fall. 

• The food-themed mural will be featured at Smorgasburg’s open-air food market, beginning June 24.

A new mural, called Summerburst, is now on display at the foot of Yonge Street. Waterfront Toronto, in partnership with the Waterfront Business Improvement Area, commissioned the temporary artwork by emerging Toronto-based artist, Wandy Cheng.  

Cheng’s food-themed mural will be featured at Smorgasburg’s open-air food market and on display through the fall. The striking visuals include one ingredient morphing into another, drawing inspiration from the shape of the WaveDecks along Queens Quay. Summerburst wraps around two shipping containers, serving as a landmark for Smorgasburg attendees and waterfront visitors. 

The mural by the OCAD University alumnus complements nearby public artworks, including Lisa Hirmer’s Careful Infrastructures for Reassembled Lands and Jill Anholt’s Light Showers.   

We spoke with Wandy who elaborated on what creating this piece means to her.

Summerburst is on display at the foot of Yonge Street now through the fall.

Q: What inspired you to create Summerburst? 

A: This artwork is inspired by all the amazing and diverse cuisines Toronto has to offer, fresh local ingredients as well as the bursting energy that summer festivities bring to the city! I hope the vibrancy of the piece reflects the landscape of the waterfront and captures the fun atmosphere visitors enjoy here.

Q: What excites you about this project? 

A: I'm excited about this artwork because it accompanies the return of Smorgasburg! It will hopefully be a part of future events throughout the year, seen by waterfront visitors of all ages. The flowing composition mirrors the movement of the lake and nearby WaveDecks, and adds a splash of colour to the landscape.

Summerburst will be featured at Smorgasburg's open-air food festival taking place at 7 Queens Quay East. 

Q: Why do you think temporary art is important?  

A: Temporary public art can respond to what's happening in the community. It can bring excitement, and engage residents and visitors. It can pique curiosity. I think public art is important because it's accessible and invites different interpretations, which I find intriguing. When I saw Waterfront Toronto’s call to artists through OCAD University for this amazing project, I had to apply.  It was a chance for me to animate and add my own character to the waterfront.

Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront Business Improvement Area worked with OCAD University to commission Toronto-based artist Wandy Cheng to create her mural, Summerburst.

More Temporary Public Art 

Waterfront Toronto’s temporary art program activates spaces along the waterfront and engages the community. Last year’s Happy Castaways by Quebec artist collective Demers-Mesnard, and this year’s CONTACT Photography Festival billboards, titled Greenwork by Vid Ingelevics and Ryan Walker, are just some examples of how public artwork sparks interest in the waterfront's revitalization, while also drawing visitors to the water’s edge. 

Look for Summerburst at Smorgasburg. Take a photo and share it with us on social media using #SummerburstMural.