World-renowned artist Saype unveils monumental artwork celebrating Mississauga’s bright future

Last Friday, French artist Saype unveiled his monumental fresco at Community Common Park in downtown Mississauga, in recognition of the City’s 50th anniversary. The piece, titled Citizens, was created on a three-acre lawn “canvas” and features a child playing with Kapla blocks, small wooden planks that have shaped the childhood of many of us, including Saype himself. Through this artwork, Saype seeks to emphasize the importance of coming together as a community for a common goal by acknowledging the amalgamated beginnings of the city and celebrating our unique and diverse cultural make up.

For Saype, this creation embodies the cooperation essential to constructing a community that offers a prosperous future for all. Through this piece, he invites us to reflect on how even the smallest contribution can help shape a better world.

In partnership with Visit Mississauga, Saype was invited to come to the city to create the land art fresco in celebration of Mississauga’s diversity and rich past, dynamic present, and promising future. The artwork stands in striking contrast to the modern skyscrapers surrounding the park, highlighting the simplicity of childhood and humanity at work amid the growing urban development of Mississauga’s downtown area.

Using biodegradable paints specially created by Saype, the grey-scale mural has since faded away leaving only the everlasting memories of his work with those who were able to witness this once-in-a-lifetime art installation in person. Despite the passage of his frescoes, images and videos of his work will leave an impact on people around the world for years to come, without leaving an impact on nature.

Sharing similar messages around the world, Saype has created more than 50 majestic artworks in international cities including New York, Paris, Dubai, Tokyo and many more. His original work in Mississauga is a first for the province, and for English-speaking Canada.

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Visit Mississauga

Visit Mississauga is the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the City of Mississauga. The organization is industry-led and responsible for developing a tourism strategy and leading tourism marketing and development efforts for Mississauga. Visit Mississauga is committed to implementing the City of Mississauga’s Tourism Master Plan, promoting local businesses and co-ordinating large-scale events within the city. Learn more at visitmississauga.ca.

Quotes

“We are honoured that Saype agreed to share his talent with us here in Mississauga to help us celebrate our culturally colourful city. The piece he’s created for us is perfectly reflective of our diverse and inclusive ‘culture of cultures’. Mississauga is home to people from all corners of the world who bring their unique cultures with them. Come visit us in Mississauga and see our beautiful community for yourself.”
– Victoria Clarke, CEO, Visit Mississauga

“Working together is key to building a sustainable and beneficial future for everyone. In Mississauga, I understood what living all together means. It was an amazing experience for me and I will bring this light back in Europe. It is very important to have every piece of wood in its own diversity, and every piece of wood is needed to create the house. And that’s for me, Mississauga. For me, this house represents the house of tomorrow, our society that we want to create all together.” – Saype, international artist

Tags

• Arts and Culture
• Events and Exhibitions
• Visit Mississauga/Tourism