Awake: The Story Behind the Artwork

Photography by Franklin McKay — mural by @soortattoo (Suren Davtyon), Graffiti Alley, Toronto.
I love photography. Wandering Toronto with a camera is one of my favourite ways to disappear for a few hours — and Graffiti Alley never disappoints.


One day the wall gave me this: a giant, hyper-realistic eye staring straight through the brick, painted by @soortattoo (Suren Davtyon). It stopped me cold. An eye that watches — it felt like the entire idea of 'Awake' captured in a single image.


I tracked down the artist and asked for his blessing to use my photograph of his work as the artwork. He said yes — and I'm grateful, because this cover wouldn't exist without him.


Credit for documenting the wall goes to the 'as I walk Toronto' street-photography blog (mcfcrandall.blog) — you can see the eye and its neighbours here:






The alley keeps changing, but that eye is still watching.


— Franklin

franklinmckay.com

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