Becoming
Becoming is part of many public artworks on display across the City of Mississauga.
Daria Domnikova
Digital illustrations on vinyl banners
Light poles, city-wide
About the artwork
Becoming is a banner series that explores community as a living, evolving network—one that grows through shared experiences, relationships, and a sense of belonging. Six illustrations represent distinct stages of this journey: Spark, where new relationships emerge; Tether, where social ties strengthen; Blossom, where community flourishes; Flow, where shared energy and purpose take shape; Grow, where communities expand; and Celebrate, where traditions are honoured and shared—tracing the transformation from an initial meeting into a resilient and thriving collective.
Created by Daria Domnikova, each banner is anchored in Mississauga’s culture and landscapes, featuring community traditions, parks and trails, local landmarks, food, sports and festivals. Layered with symbolic visual motifs representing each stage—a spark, paper planes, hearts– these illustrations create a portrait of a city shaped not only by its places, but by the people who live and grow within them.
Rather than depicting community as a fixed destination, Becoming embraces it as a living process: one built through small moments of connection, and sustained through care, joy, and collective celebration.
About the artist
Daria Domnikova is a multidisciplinary illustrator, muralist, and arts facilitator whose work celebrates community, human connection, and the joy of everyday life. Through vibrant colour, expressive characters, and thoughtful visual storytelling, she creates welcoming public artworks that celebrate diversity, collective growth, nature and movement. Drawing from her lived experience as a first-generation immigrant and queer artist, Daria’s practice is grounded in fostering belonging, optimism, and social trust through art.
After immigrating to Canada Daria earned a Bachelor of Design in Illustration from OCAD University and has since developed a multidisciplinary practice spanning illustration, murals, and community-engaged public art. She has collaborated with organizations and businesses including Visa, City of Mississauga, FIFA, NASDAQ, University of Toronto, StreetARToronto, STEPS Public Art, Business Improvement Areas, non-profits, community organizations, and international publications. Her work lives across public space and print, connecting with diverse audiences through storytelling, colour, and a strong sense of place.