Music

Toronto's subway guide will be designed the Lee's Palace mural artist

by Mark Teo

In Toronto music circles, is there a street artist as iconic as Al Runt? Possibly, but not likely. If you’ve ever toured the city’s musical haunts, you’re surely familiar with Runt’s work: He was responsible for the mural at the now-defunct BamBoo, and in the Annex, he’s painted the sprawling, distinctive wall of Lee’s Palace not one, not two, but three freaking times. His approach to street art has undeniably shaped Toronto with a style that’s distinctively his, but also distinctively Torontonian.

That’s why the TTC—the Toronto Transit Commission, for the non-Torontonians—has commissioned him to create the cover of their Ride Guide. Hiring Runt, born Alex Currie, is part of initiative to improve design with the institution, and TTC spokesperson Brad Ross told BlogTO that “we’re trying to do is reflect the city back to our riders…. Engaging with local artists and commissioning works that have a TTC theme, but are also evocative of Toronto generally is the goal, and I think we’ve been successful in that thus far.”

We agree. The brand-new TTC streetcars, buses, and subways are all reflected in Runt’s design. We love it—what do you think? Check the cover of the Ride Guide above, as well as a few images of Runt’s work at Lee’s.