Moving Forward
A STEPS PROJECT
This energetic mural by Mississaugua-based artist Matt Salisbury is a part of the BMO National Mural Series and breathes life into the BMO Erin Mills Branch. The artwork was inspired by themes of community, diversity, and connects to the heritage of the area.
Project at a Glance
Location: 2825 Eglinton Ave W, Mississauga, ON L5M 6J3
Artist: Matt Salisbury
Year: 2022
Project Partner: Commissioned by BMO Financial Group as a part of the BMO National Mural Series
Project Photographer/Videographer: Mila Bright Zlatanovic
Services: Public Art Management
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Artist
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Artwork
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Sq ft of Artwork
About This Project
In Moving Forward, Matt Salisbury animates parts of Mississauga’s iconic skyline and architecture in his signature style, highlighting the growth and energy of the community over the years. It also captures the city’s diversity, as the figures make their way through the shared boardwalk.
Another important theme is the idea of growth, which is symbolized through the use of floral and plant motifs that flow through the entire artwork and tie all the silhouettes together.
STEPS Public Art App
Find public art activations near you with the STEPS Public Art App, a free mobile and web application with an interactive map of STEPS projects, self-guided walking tours and artist profiles. This app is updated regularly with new photos, videos and projects to help you explore your city and virtually visit public art projects in other cities!
The STEPS Public Art App is best experienced on your mobile device via the App Store or Google Play (also accessible via the Web App on your browser). Please rate and review to help spread the word and enhance your experience with the digital platform. Visit Matt Salisbury’s interior mural virtually through the app:
About the Artist
Matt Salisbury
Lead Artist
Matt Salisbury is a freelance illustrator and art educator based out of Mississauga Ontario. A recent graduate of Sheridan Colleges Bachelor of Illustration program in Oakville Ontario, his passion has always been to draw and create stories to inspire and connect with the community. A strong advocate for mental health, his work explores personal struggles, mental health, familial dilemmas and the LGBTQ+ experience.
As an illustrator his style is a mix of expressionism and figurative art influenced by comics and animation because of the unique visuals created in each medium to tell a story, he incorporates a variety of media approaches into his work including, ink, gouache, charcoal, digital, and mixed media. His focus is on the unique mark-making that comes from unconventional tools to tell the story of the illustration.
STEPS Public Art Management Service is recognized for being iconic, cost-effective and transformational. From murals to sculptures and projection mapping, STEPS produces one-of-a-kind public art installations with partners that meet your needs.
The BMO National Mural Series falls under the public art management service. Visit the project page to see artworks by many talented and diverse artists at different branches across Canada!
Project Partner
These works of art were made possible by BMO in collaboration with STEPS Public Art. BMO’s National Mural Series was designed to create opportunities to celebrate local communities and the people who live and visit them. By working with hyper local artists to design murals with meaning and impact specific to each location, BMO hopes to bring art to locations where artists and community members might not otherwise have an opportunity.
At BMO, we are proud to be partners in these communities, celebrate our customers, and support local artists. These beautiful pieces of art not only express BMO’s values and celebrate diversity they also provide opportunities to surprise and delight those visiting our branches. We look forward to expanding this program and curating many more murals in branches across Canada.
