Railbender

The mural by Montreal-born artist Arpi at 3 Hamilton Avenue is a site-specific tribute designed to connect strangers and capture the essence of the surrounding Hintonburg community. Anchoring the design are the massive "hands of God" figures, which are modeled after Railbender owner Alex Neron's tattooed arm, purposefully depicting a tattoo gun in one hand and a pencil eraser in the other. This personal foundation is layered with urban iconography, including an encompassing train and tracks that reflect Arpi’s passion for railways, graffiti culture, and the area's history, alongside a giant face that originated as an original drawing by Neron. Despite the technical challenge of the wall's many windows, the mural is seamlessly tied to the block's culture, featuring sparrows (a nod to the artist's natural motifs and the local Hintonbird House Project) and a unique picket fence element that references neighboring brewery Beyond the Pale, symbolizing the openness Arpi strives to achieve.