Toronto Revealed

Image credit: Cranes, 2011
© Rebecca Ott

About the Exhibit

Toronto Public Library's collection of documentary art captures the city's changing streets and built environment through a variety of artists' works.

This exhibition presents art that captures Toronto's quickly changing streetscape from the mid-twentieth century to the present day: homes and alleyways, diners and corner stores, markets, parks, and community hubs.

These paintings, drawings and prints preserve fleeting glimpses of a city in constant flux. Some views are familiar, while others capture scenes that would otherwise go unnoticed or that have already been lost and forgotten.

Artists including Aba Bayefsky, Albert Franck, Brian Harvey, Vello Hubel, David Marshak, Rebecca Ott and many more, offer unique insights into the character of the city's built environment, forcing us to reconsider our surroundings in a new light.

Toronto Downtown, Looking Southwest, 1938, Nicholas Hornyansky (1896-1965)

Honest Ed's, 2015, © Brent Arlitt

Guided Tours

Every Tuesday at 2 pm. Meet inside the TD Gallery. Drop in. No registration required.

To organize group tours or class visits, please contact: ndawkins@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Weston Bakery, Eastern Avenue, 2017, © Brian Harvey

Crosswalk, Queen Street East, 2012, © David Marshak

Audio Tour

Listen to an audio tour of Toronto Revealed anytime by downloading the free GuidiGO app. Available for Android devices and Apple devices.

Related Programming

Colourful Streetside View of Kensington Market, 1978, Aba Bayefsky (1923-2001). From the Collection of Evelyn Bayefsky

Toronto Revealed: Aba Bayefsky in Kensington Market

Edra Bayefsky discusses her late father's work capturing the vibrant life of the market.

Monday, February 26, 6:30-7:30 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall

Toronto Revealed: Documenting Hidden Toronto

A conversation with writers and artists who capture new perspectives into the city around us, featuring Shawn Micallef, Catherine Hernandez and Michael Cho.

Monday, March 12, 6:30-7:30 pm
Toronto Reference Library, Beeton Hall