An unexpected talent and a well-calibrated passion have turned the streets of Toronto, Canada, into a digital stage. Duncan McCabe, an accountant with a passion for running and creative editing, has taken the web by storm with a unique artistic project: a stylized dancing figure created through the Strava route-tracking app.
The idea stems from a combination of factors: a love for movement, inspiration from other GPS artists, and immense dedication. McCabe spent ten months, from January to October 2024, mapping and running 121 distinct routes. He then created a perfectly synchronized animation set to the song Purple Hat by the duo Sofi Tukker, which quickly gained online approval, amassing 25 million views. Each frame of his work represents a run of about 10 kilometers. This daily commitment required detailed planning and significant endurance. The 32-year-old’s perfectionism is also reflected in the number of frames used, essential to ensure fluid movements. He was undeterred by rain and wind: each run was a step toward the final piece.
Although the 30-second clip has thrust the young artist into the spotlight, his case is not unique: GPS artists like Lenny Maughan and Mike Scott paved the way for this creative form, producing detailed images with carefully planned routes.
In 2023, McCabe had already created animal figures such as giraffes and dinosaurs with 700 kilometers of artistic runs, inspired by Scott’s works, including the design of a giant beaver mapped in Toronto in 2022.
Despite the media attention, McCabe has decided to keep his professional roots firm and continue working at PointClickCare, proving that creative talent can emerge in the most unexpected contexts and even turn a fitness app into a canvas for contemporary art.
