“The Definitive Map of Leslieville” explores the ties between memory, identity, land, the medium of mapping, and photography as they relate to how people see the world.

 

Growing up in the Broadview and Dundas area of Toronto, I was taught that the neighbourhood I lived in was called “Leslieville.” However, when I became a teen, people would always refer to this area as “Riverdale,” but recently, people have started referring to this same place as “Riverside.”  

 

Like many children do, I had pride for where I grew up and thought that the other surrounding areas were worse than mine, so when people told me that the neighbourhood I lived in was not my beloved Leslieville, I was conflicted and confused. This changed my worldview; was I just the same as those other people who lived in Riverdale or Riverside? 

 

The Definitive Map of Leslieville explores the relationship between how we often perceive ourselves and others through methods that can be easily controlled and manipulated, done explicitly by creating my own distinct version of my neighbourhood that cannot be found in the real world.

 

By capturing my true Leslieville, I am able to share it with others and allow them to visit the place that otherwise only exists within my head – a place that I’ve lived my whole life, but nevertheless, will never step foot in.

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This is featured in the book "The Definitive Map Of Leslieville"