CANADIAN REGGAE WORLD
  • Home
  • RFL ~ Artists ~ Events
  • Blog

Adrian 'Sawtay' Hayles ~ Illustrator ~ Reggae Lane Mural

4/17/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Adrian Hayles
 
I spend loads of time ranting and raving about some level of inequality that is self evident yet continue the useless rhetoric about racism in my life.  Truthfully the ranting helps me to organize thought.  It calms my mind to let me know that I was able to express it and somebody read it.  You became my sounding board.  Yet the constant complaining takes me away from seeing and focusing on the positives that stand right in front of me at times.  Focus on the things and the people that uplift my life and the lives of many others.
 
I hooked up with the Reggae Lane committee over a year ago and have been a part of a positive initiative bringing reggae past to the city of Toronto.  I was a part of that historic moment!  I am grateful for being a part of a moment in history, no matter how obscure reggae may be in this country; it feels nice to have had some contribution to this project.
 
Reggae Lane
 
The cultural goldmine or the eye sore?  An eye sore because of the negative energy still surrounding the project coming from the Jamaican businesses and the Italian run, Eglinton BIA whose relationship is viewed, at best, as totally antagonistic.  From day one till now there is a huge divide between the two and a Toronto attraction shrinks into obscurity based on that relationship.  None of the businesses have any joy or respect for the Laneway project which can be and will be an improvement to the businesses that last after the subway expansion is complete.  No one or thing has been able to improve this relationship and I don’t see any opportunity where that will ever happen, yet we do keep trying.

Also, there are a few within the Caribbean community who are not pleased that the Laneway was chosen as the spot.  Some say that they would have preferred the main road of Eglinton Ave to be renamed.  They will also mention the past and current history of addicts, hookers and crime down the lane and the "shame" of that spot being chosen.  "We were given the worst laneway in the city and as usual some of us accept dirt!" is the sentiment of a few others.  Many of these folks are totally ignorant to the ongoing improvement plans slated for the Laneway in the months and years to come.  Many of these improvements are supported by the Eglinton BIA which some are also not aware of their positive role in developing the area.  The Eglinton BIA are totally on board with what the Reggae Lane project can and will stand for and has aided with many of the initiatives to date.  Bridging a gap between them and the businesses would be advantageous to all concerned.

As a cultural goldmine, the Lane becomes like reggae music itself.  It keeps moving forward and finding its niche.  Reaches all people of all ages without discrimination!  The Reggae Lane will find its own way with or without the help of anyone.  Reggae always does!  Reggae knows how to deal with strife, two faced people and degradation!  Its soldiers and freedom fighters push through oppression and negativity to find the light.  Reggae Lane will eventually do exactly the same.  This beautiful, unique mural is one step in that direction.
 
These many weeks since the Lane was unveiled I am struck by the indelible imprint that mural has on my psyche.   Whenever I see a photograph of it randomly I have this HUGE sense of pride.  “That’s my city!  That’s my reggae mural in Toronto!”
 
Thank you Adrian ‘Sawtay’ Hayles!  The mastermind.  The architect of that amazingly vibrant, indelible piece of work on Eglinton west!  I wish to focus on a man who brings his creative voice to change the world.  That mural could have looked and felt like any old thing...but not his piece!  It is as distinctive as a mother!
 
My vibe is that there are coincidences and then there are coincidences.  Reggae Lane and Adrain Hayles are wonderfully powerful coincidences.  The first ever Reggae Lane on the planet earth is right here in the 6.  We are the first in the world to name a roadway after reggae music.  That is quite the honor to my mind.
 
Then Adrian comes along and puts up that powerful piece of work.  His work uplifted reggae music in Toronto.  It uplifted me!  I believe that it uplifted and inspired a few of the artists in the genre as well.
 
So while he and I were riding public transit we started talking.  I realized then that he was a person that the general public needs to know about.  He lives for his art.  He is art.  I would like the opportunity to tell a bunch more people about this amazing artist within our midst, whose work elevates a community.
 
“At the tender age of nine, Toronto-based illustrator Adrian Hayles discovered the expressive nature of the visual arts. With his continued artistic development, illustration became his deepest passion and talent. His desire to learn and absorb from his surroundings led him on a personal creative journey. As a graduate of the Graphic Design program at Humber College with over 10 years of working experience behind him, Adrian has established his place in Toronto’s modern art community. His style is provocative and inspiring and defies categorization.
 
Blurring the lines between graffiti and ultra realism, Adrian’s voice and vision is instantly identifiable. His works include countless portraits and illustrations for various magazines and collaborations with the City of Toronto to develop murals for vacant community spaces.

In the past Adrian has painted complete buildings and city blocks, designed award winning video games and animated television shows. He has also successfully developed patented the Stud Horse Foldable Artist Bench and is the Principal and Founder of Behind the Front Visual Arts Studio.

www.adrianhaylesproductions.com”

That was the bio.

I was given the opportunity to thank a significant artist of my generation and grateful for that.  One has the impression that he has much more to go.

Blessings Adrian Sawtay Hayles

Check out some of his works and life below as well as picks from the Reggae Lane Mural that is his creation.
Various Stages of the Reggae Lane Mural as well as the celebration, Fall of 2015
0 Comments

RasTafari Discussion On G98.7FM

4/11/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
https://www.mixcloud.com/g987fm/who-exactly-is-haile-selassie-i-sunday-april-10-2016/


A concise discussion on the life and doctrine of RasTafari.  This is a "free will" doctrine that focuses on the positivity of life.

Many agree and disagree yet it is always good to share knowledge.

Organize and Centralize
0 Comments

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    June 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    August 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.