FLY met Cat Marchese several years ago at one of Toronto’s annual art shows – her photographic artworks are unique, unusual and exhibited under the trademarked name Citybonez™. Cat loves to hunt down heritage bricks, the old building blocks of the city in abandoned building or demolition sites, even beaches where they’re used for land reclamation, then clean them up to be photographed so we can all see the beautiful designs, shapes and colours of each brick. She’s passionate about photography and history, has been engaged in the creative community for 20+ years, and is currently focusing on preserving and celebrating our collective heritage through visual storytelling. Cat has always been fascinated by wilder environments, forsaken institutions, deserted cities and urban decay. She finds the structural remains of these once elaborate people places – their ghostly bones – as intriguing as their shed historical skin. 
FLY recently spoke with Cat whose work is currently on exhibit during this year’s annual CONTACT Photography Festival at a pop-up gallery in the stunning foyer of a luxury condo located at 33 Charles St East (show runs until June 7th). The exhibit is called Aspectus: How We View Things.
Cat shared her creative process and how she finds and photographs bricks (and now also log offcuts) to tell the stories of how our city was built….
What first inspired you to pick up a camera to create art? I realized that I wanted to share how I view things, and the best way to do was to literally capture things through my lens..
And bricks? Vintage or heritage bricks are a unique and rare subject for artists…what first attracted you to these overlooked building blocks? Bricks tell stories — each one a time capsule of the city’s heartbeat. Their subtle imperfections are like the wrinkles and scars, whispering tales of resilience and rebirth.
Where do you find your bricks? The city dump, demolition sites, landfill, just walking along the street? I’m a relics hunter and basically roam forgotten alleys, old construction sites, abandoned buildings, beaches, and demolition sites. Every brick has a history waiting to be unearthed. I collect them (I have around 500 historical bricks) and when I find them, they’re gnarly and filthy, frankly, the filthier the better. I clean them, and essentially bring them back to life and light.
You’re also quite the history buff – your website contains great facts on how the city’s brickmaking industry rose after the great Toronto fire of 1904 and the various factories and quarries where much of the city’s building materials where created. What ignited your quest for knowledge in this niche subject? Curiosity is my compass and I absolutely love early era Toronto. I find myself searching through the archives quite often, I feel ghosts from the past tugging at me to dig deeper. Toronto’s history is a rich tapestry, and I want to weave my own thread into it.
Sounds like the perfect coffee-table book illustrating the architectural heritage of the humble brick? Ever thought of publishing a photo journal? Absolutely! Imagine a book that’s not just pages but a journey through time—all bound together with the essence of Toronto’s architectural legacy through historical brick.
You’re participating in a number of outdoor art shows this summer plus a gallery group show at the Blue Crow Gallery in Toronto. Do you prefer meeting your fans and collectors under the canvas tents, or hanging your work in galleries for potential buyers to browse at will (without threat of rain)? Outdoor shows feel like a celebration of community; I enjoy the energy, talking through my process, and answering any questions people have (and they do often have quite a few!) Galleries offer a quieter intimacy. It’s a dance between the two, they both offer different things.
And what’s next for Cat? Any planned scrounging expeditions? Special visits to demo sites? I’ve got a scavenger’s heart and adventure always finds me. I’m always on the lookout for the next forgotten piece of history to bring back to life. I’ll be spending most of my summer digging even deeper (literally!) – who knows what I’ll be coming across, I’m excited to see what pops up.
And by the way, I don’t only collect historical brick but also centuries old branded log ends (see below)where I pay reverence to the Canadian logging industry. I’m also collecting antique lead seals, mainly from the railway industry. Those pieces are my newest (and smallest) collectables and are fun to photograph. They go way back in time and are a testament to the craftsmanship of its time, dating back to the 1800s, providing insights into past railway structures and management.
As I continue this journey through rich history, my passion and creativity continue to grow. The thrill of discovery never fades, and I’m eager to see what unique pieces and stories I’ll unearth next. Sometimes I feel as though the adventure is just beginning … even though I’ve been at this for many years now. I can’t wait to share my findings with everyone.
Cat often has an assistant with her on her scrounging adventures…you’ve heard of truffle hounds? Well, Cat has a brick terrier – Monte!!
Thanks so much for sharing your story with FLY who encourages readers to visit Cat’s website for lots more photos, stories and news of upcoming shows. www.citybonez.com You’ll also find links to her social platforms there as well as her virtual gallery/shop.
Who knew this cute little girl would grow up to be the Indiana Jones of architectural salvage and history?
Check out 3 of Cat’s beautiful framed photographic prints at 33 Charles St East as part of this year’s CONTACT festival, runs until June 7.
