Former Beach Metro News photographer – and now sports writer for the Smithers, B.C., Interior News – Jon Muldoon is having an exhibition of his unique and fascinating photographs of Toronto’s underground water systems at Gallerywest, 1332 Queen St. W, to the end of November.
The exhibition, called Buried Waters, is Jon’s first solo gallery show. Muldoon is one of those urban guerrillas who prowl the city’s underground sewers and water tunnels taking photos of their travels, as a way of both illuminating and preserving the record of a part of the city most people know nothing about.
“Many of the rivers, streams and creeks that once flowed through Toronto, Mississauga, Burlington and Hamilton on their way to Lake Ontario have been removed not only from the map, but seemingly from reality,” Muldoon said. “Many of those waters still flow underground in dark brick and concrete tunnels, some functioning to keep rain water out of local basements, some left unused other than to store overflow during storms, and others, such as Toronto’s celebrated Garrison Creek, acting as sewers a century since they were buried out of sight and out of mind.”
This show will also feature an audio component, with field recordings collected from a number of different drains sewers and tunnels over the past few years. “Hopefully this will add a new dimension to the Buried Waters series,” said Muldoon.
Jon was in town for the opening reception Nov. 4, enjoying visiting with friends and family in Toronto, and regaling us with stories about his new life in Smithers. “The final run of the ski hill in town ends just 250 metres from our house,” he said. It’s not all paradise however. Jon mentioned that he hadn’t been out on any of the numerous hiking trails because, “this time of the year the grizzly bears are fattening up for hibernation.”
For more information call Gallerywest at 416-913-7116, or visit www.1332queenwest.com.
Did you enjoy this article? Become a Beach Metro Community News Supporter today! For 50 years, we have worked hard to be the eyes and ears in your community, inform you of upcoming events, and let you know what and who is making a difference. We cover the big stories as well as the little things that often matter the most. CLICK HERE to support your Beach Metro Community News!
