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984 Sargent Avenue
This 1998 Mural was painted by Dave Carty. Sponsorship was by the West End BIZ. In 2022 the Mural (which was still in great shape) was painted over as the Italian pizzeria is no longer at this location.
Original notes follow===
Dave Carty: "My approach to the design of this Mural began with my thoughts when I envisioned Italy. What are
it's symbols and icons? Starting from the left side of the maquette is the well-known Coliseum in
Rome. Tied in with this is St. Peter's Basilica with the famed statue of Moses by none other than
Michelangelo. These are some of the more famous representations of early and historical Italian
culture and predominance."
"On the left is a Formula 1 sports car, not a run-of the-mill sports car, but the world famous Ferrari.
Designed and built in Italy, it has claimed many victories in Grand Prix competition. To the
immediate right of the Ferrari is Pinocchio, the wooden puppet whose nose grew every time he told
a lie. The Florentine author Carlo Collodi created this fairy tale that has endured for generations
world wide."
"Above the Renaissance symbolism is a brick layer or mason. This is a trade that many Italians have
taken on not just in their home country, but brought the skill with them as well when they emigrated
to Canada and helped build a nation. The centrepiece of the maquette is the geographical depiction
of the Italian 'boot,' showing some of the major rivers and mountain ranges. This unique geologic
and topographic shape makes the country one of the most identifiable on the entire globe."
"In the sea adjacent to the boot is a self portrait of the famous artist, inventor and scientist,
Leonardo da Vinci. He is known for his design of early flying machines and also as the artist who
created the most famous painting in the world, The Mona Lisa."
"Below Leonardo is a typical gondolier piloting his craft through the canals of Venice, the city built
on piles. Next to the gondolier is a portrayal of players involved in a soccer match, one of the
passionate national pastimes of the country."
"On the far right corner is a view of Naples, the third largest city in Italy. There is a saying, 'see
Naples and die,' meaning there is no more lovely thing in the world left to see! Above the view of
Naples is a depiction of Italy as world-class wine producer showing a vineyard, and the precious fruit
that it produces, the grape, the beginning of fine Italian wines. I have chosen to add overlay pictures
to offset the presence of an existing window. The caption (with flag) 'Italia,' to me says Italian
culture in one word rather than captioning this mural as 'Italy.' 'Italia' is a more all-encompassing
word that captures the pride and prominence of the culture and the people of this great country.
Besides it has a better ring to it."
David Carty
June 25,1998
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