People & Culture

Toronto as community: fifty years of photographs

Toronto-based photographer Vincenzo Pietropaolo chronicles Canada’s largest city over 50 years, documenting the daily lives of ordinary citizens through time 

  • Jun 02, 2023
  • 156 words
  • 1 minutes
Toronto Argonauts’ Grey Cup Victory Parade, with ticker tape, Bay St., 1983
Expand Image
Advertisement
Advertisement

Toronto as Community represents more than 50 years of photography by Vincenzo Pietropaolo, whose life’s passion has been to photograph Toronto, its people, and its buildings. The photographs document the daily life of ordinary citizens, at work, at play, in celebration, in protest, and in mourning, and are grouped around short essays. These images will provoke the reader’s sense of nostalgia, inviting reflection on the city that once was, how it became the city it is, and how it continues to develop and grow into a city of our imaginations.

Homeless encampment created during the pandemic, Alexandra Park, Dec. 26, 2020.
Expand Image
A bur oak in the Annex, one of Toronto’s largest and oldest tree (350+ years), 2009
Expand Image
Women in attendance at Nelson Mandela’s visit to Queen’s Park, 1990.
Expand Image
Immigrant women going to work in garment factories, King St. and Spadina Ave., 1973.
Expand Image
Pride parade, Yonge St., 2019.
Expand Image
Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, Royal Ontario Museum, under construction, Bloor St. W., 2005.
Expand Image
TD Centre and First Canadian Place reflected on windows of York Centre, King St. W., 1988.
Expand Image
Vietnam Peace Festival, Nathan Phillips Square, 1969.
Expand Image
Dancer, Pow-Wow, Indigenous Arts Festival, Fort York, 2019.
Expand Image
Victorian houses, Huron St., 1986.
Expand Image
Climate Action Movement, College and University Sts., Sept. 27, 2019.
Expand Image

These photographs and text are taken from the book, Toronto as Community: Fifty Years of Photographs, by Vincenzo Pietropaolo, published by Cormorant Books Inc., Toronto. Copyright 2023 © Vincenzo Pietropaolo. Used with the permission of the publisher.

To see the full collection of images, Pietropaolo’s book is available for purchase at select bookstores. Readers can search for the book in advance by visiting https://shoplocal.bookmanager.com/isbn/9781770866232 

Advertisement

Are you passionate about Canadian geography?

You can support Canadian Geographic in 3 ways:

Related Content

Wildlife

Do not disturb: Practicing ethical wildlife photography

Wildlife photographers on the thrill of the chase  — and the importance of setting ethical guidelines 

  • 2849 words
  • 12 minutes
Grizzly triplets follow their mother in search of salmon

People & Culture

10 Canadian photographers whose work we’re loving right now

These 10 members of Canadian Geographic’s online Photo Club are making waves with their unique perspectives on Canadian wildlife and landscapes

  • 1451 words
  • 6 minutes

History

First World War photography exhibition brings together the personal with the propaganda

Is it possible to capture the reality of war?Maybe not in one photograph. But the cumulative effect of mixing personal items, official photography, propaganda and…

  • 712 words
  • 3 minutes

People & Culture

The RCGS announces Nikon Canada as its Official Photography Partner

Two iconic brands known for exceptional photography join forces to inspire the next generation of photographers

  • 3383 words
  • 14 minutes
Advertisement
Advertisement