Right In Front of Us: The Streets of Victoria

Elfrida Shragen

As an artist/painter I am always looking for subject matter that catches my eye. The most visually appealing subject matter to me is often right in front of me. As I searched for subject matter I had in mind, the fact that many a friend has been complaining about the intense growth in our city, the arrival of the high rise, the increase in traffic, the loss of old world charm, etc.

I wondered how I could best tell this tale of change in an artistic way.

Where to begin? It is not difficult to find a street with a new building under construction. As I walked down Cook St., camera in hand, right in front of me, asking to be recorded for posterity and history, were these enormous, rapacious vehicles carrying materials, blocking roadways, knocking down building sections. Here were the unfeeling instigators of the issues so repeatedly complained about by my friends. And the fledgling buildings themselves revealed so many materials, new ideas and shapes.

I was indeed inspired!