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948 Sargent Avenue
This piece by Dave Carty was lost in July of 2006 when the building was repainted.
Original notes are below.
Dave Carty: "In the design of this Mural I have chosen aspects of British culture which are representative
of life in the British Isles. The British Isles or the United Kingdom include symbolizations of
England, Wales, Scotland and Northen Ireland. With a history as deep and diverse as this I
have tried to keep the representations as simple but colourfully graphic as possible in order to
cover the many facets with maximum impact"
"The Mural starts in the top left corner with a depiction of Stonehenge, (literally - hanging
stones). The significance of these mammoth stones is thought to be a type of celestial
Calendar. A sunset setting in the west through the structure conveys evidence of this. It is
thought that it was constructed by some of the earliest inhabitants of the country. Some
attribute it to the Druids. Below this stands a Viking beside a long ship, their sea faring craft.
Vikings inhabited the British Isles during the 9th and 10th centuries AD."
"A landscape complete with a present day sheep herder stands beside Hadrian's Wall which
was a barrier constructed by the Romans to keep the nomadic barbarians out of the 'civilized'
Roman colony to the south. Sheep herding is still common husbandry throughout the country
today. The castle to the right of this landscape is symbolic of the era when William the
Conqueror invaded Great Britain. In the middle of the landscape is a portrait of William
Shakespeare, the world's best known playwright and author· of some of the greatest works in the
English language."
"Scottish 'pipers' are in full dress showing the colours of their particular Clan. They were
fierce warriors who dressed for battle in the Kilt and constructed huge stone fortified castles to
withstand the enemy."
"In the center of the maquette is the Union Jack, the flag of the British Empire. The flag is
composed of the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick. The British coat of arms is
depicted from behind the flag. The tenacity, pride and strength of the people are
represented by the characterization of British Bulldog, the Lion and the Centurion armed and
with a protective shield. These symbols give rise to the importance of the tradition of heraldry
in Great Britain."
"Beneath these hallmarks are figures engaged in sport activity. I have focussed on only two as
there are many sport games played in Great Britain. The two athletic pursuits shown are
cricket and rugby, passions near and dear to present day Britain's and those who have gone
before."
"The tall ship is the "Nonsuch", which was of great importance to both Britain and Canada.
This was the ship that brought the age of the fur trade to North America. It paved the way for
further colonization and greater wealth for the mother country. The Canadian Flag on the bow
of the "Nonsuch" symbolizes its importance to Canada. A detailed scale replica of this ship
now rests at the Museum of Man and Nature in Winnipeg. Beside the ship is a world map
showing the British Empire at the turn of the century. The British were a mighty military and
economic power. Their traditions and military customs were often adopted by the lands that
they ruled."
"An early steamer whistles out of a stop. The age of the industrial revolution began in Britain
with the use of steam. To the left of center is a Concord, an aircraft that has been used for a
number of years and is symbolic of the engineering and scientific contribution that the country
has made to global technological development."
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