Philip Cote: 8th Fire

New Public Art Mural Installation at Dundas West Open Air Museum

Philip Cote, 8th Fire (detail), 2024

Philip Cote: 8th Fire
Public Art Mural

Opens November 28, 2024 | Ongoing
Mural Location: 1637 Dundas Street West, Toronto, ON

The history of Toronto’s Dundas West neighborhood and the broader region will be interpreted and celebrated through a new mural created by the internationally-renowned Indigenous artist Philip Cote, with assistance from local artist Pam Lostracco.

Located at 1637 Dundas West, painted on wood and digitally reproduced on vinyl, 8th Fire is a visual journey into the Indigenous history and ongoing Indigenous narrative of the greater Toronto area, serving as compelling graphic acknowledgement of the continued contributions of Indigenous creators to the culture of our city.

Philip Cote, 8th Fire (detail), 2024

The mural title refers to a 1200 year-old prophecy that foretold the age of the 8th Fire when settlers and the Indigenous people would come together and create a new space for future generations. In a short film that accompanies the mural, documenting its creation, Cote explains how the period of the 8th fire, that began in 2021, represents a time where young people can rediscover what it means to be Indigenous and for us all to be living on indigenous land.

The 8th Fire project is supported by The My Main Street program, the Canadian Urban Institute, and the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Additional project support has been provided by the City of Toronto and the Little Portugal Toronto BIA and Lula Music and Arts Centre.

8th Fire artist Philip Cote discusses work with assistant artist Pam Lostracco, Toronto, 2024.

For more information about our current exhibitions, please visit our website.

Dundas West Open Air Museum
Lansdowne to Ossignton on Dundas West, Toronto
www.dundaswest.museum

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The Dundas West Open Air Museum gathers more than 35 public art pieces along the strip of Toronto’s Dundas West that is home to Little Portugal Toronto BIA. Curated by Artistic Director Rodrigo Ardiles, the DWOM collection includes works by international artists such as Tikay & Oner (Chile), Vihls (Portugal), Barcelona-based Chilean muralist Inti and Bordalo II (Portugal) alongside works by local contributors Jose Ortega (Canada/Ecuador), Clandestine Crew, Jarus, Essencia Collective and Shalak (Chile/Canada). Free guided tours are offered the second Thursday and last Saturday of each month.

Hours: Always Open

Accessibility: Our outdoor mural site fully accessible.