The Spirit of OC Transpo

Image of the acrylic painting.
Year
2014
Artist
Bhat Boy
Media
Painting
Material
acrylic on canvas
Collection number
2015-0001
Venue
Art at buildings

Description

Local artist Bhat Boy has drawn on medieval painting traditions and his love of history and mapmaking to form an imaginative portrait of Ottawa’s transit network. The 15-foot long painting features 28 different examples of vehicles used for public transportation over 125 years, all brought together beneath a starry winter sky.

As a way to shine a light on the future of transit in Ottawa, he placed the light rail system at key intersections in the painting using warm yellow and pink colours. Bhat Boy planned, painted and installed the artwork at the same time Confederation Line was being built.

Bhat Boy is recognized for his dynamic contributions as a painter, instructor and community organizer. His personal painting style infuses Ottawa with an unusual element of fantasy. As an avid traveler, Bhat Boy uses transit systems across the globe, sharing his time between two capital cities: Ottawa (Canada) and London (England).                 

Location

OC Transpo Administration Building