The location that I have chosen is the neighborhood known as the Junction, specifically the intersection of Keele and Dundas. It was the first place that really drew me into Toronto history, and introduced me to the concept of a cyclical neighborhood. Once a city in its own right it was where rail lines crossed and trade and transportation intersected. The Junction has had its share of highs and lows and it is currently in an upswing of revitalization. It is a self-sustaining neighborhood that has re-purposed many of the original buildings into housing, businesses and entertainment.
My current practice is heavily influenced by urban planning and our use and re-use of spaces. Through this book I wanted to highlight the micro and macro feeling of a neighborhood within a city, and to give a sense of these cycles of renewal. I also found it hilarious that on the corner of Keel and Dundas, the building that used to be a Bank of Toronto is now a Money Mart.
About The Artist
Cortney Stephenson completed her BFA at the Ontario College of Art and Design, where she majored in Drawing and Painting. In 2009 she was the recipient of the Mrs. W.O. Forsyth Award for Excellence in Painting, recognizing female artists whose major means of expression has been painting.
In the Spring of 2011 she launched My Mother’s Basement Gallery, a website which focuses on giving exposure to emerging artists. Stephenson has shown both in Toronto and Internationally, and currently lives and works in Toronto, Ontario.
