In Solidarity with Parkdale Legal Services!

Artist(s)

The Public

Date

December 2018 — January 2019

Parkdale is a vibrant neighbourhood—home to low-income people, newcomer and refugee groups, including Toronto’s Tibetan, Tamil and Roma communities. But Parkdale’s recent history tells a story of creeping gentrification: affordable rent and rooming houses are being replaced by large single-family homes and upscale condos; bargain and family-run groceries are being priced out, replaced by cafés and trendy shops.

One of our community’s most vitally important organizations, Parkdale Legal, is facing eviction, as the landlord and developer market the site to creative professionals. As a community arts practice here in Parkdale, we call on our fellow artists and designers to examine our role in this displacement, and to critically reflect on processes of gentrification through intersectional, abolitionist and decolonial lenses.

Support Parkdale Legal! For community engagement updates find Parkdale Community Legal Services on Facebook, and find our zine, Art Design & Gentrification: A Primer, here!

Stay tuned for related community events in the new year!

A cardboard sign with pink lettering reads "In solidarity with Parkdale Community Legal Services." The sign is displayed against a white wall with a pink abstract shape in the background.
An intricate artwork features three large concentric rings with illustrations of buildings and text. Bright pink outlines highlight the cardboard structures. The phrases "In solidarity with Parkdale's Legal Services" and "Who has the right? Who does it harm?" are visible.
A cardboard sign with the text "The Public" and a graphic of a stylized heart in pink, displayed indoors near a window. Outside, a street scene with brick buildings and a tree is visible in the background.

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