Category: Public Art (Page 1 of 6)

The Rosehill Reservoir

May 13, 2026 / Marvin Job / 1 Comment

A Hidden Toronto Spot?

I had never heard of the Rosehill Reservoir until I started doing a little research on an interesting sculpture located there.

The Rosehill Reservoir sits beside Rosehill Avenue, east of Yonge Street, and is part of the David A. Balfour park:

The Reservoir was created in 1874 to supply clean drinking water to the residents of Toronto, and continues serving this function to the present day. The underground Reservoir stores 270 million litres of drinking water.

The Days of the Open Reservoir

These shots from the Toronto City Archives show how the Reservoir looked circa 1930s, prior to its being covered and landscaped:

The Great Cover-up

In the early 1960s the City of Toronto covered over the then-open top of the Reservoir. This was done for a number of reasons: maintenance and cleanliness obviously, but at the time there was a fear that spy satellites (which could clearly see the Reservoir from space) could enable enemy agents to poison Toronto’s water supply.

The completion of the Reservoir covering fell at the same time as Canada’s 1967 Centennial celebrations. As such, the landscaping on top of the Reservoir was treated as a Centennial project, and an appropriate plaque was installed in the new park:

Centennial plaque on the “Water Molecule” sculpture

The park’s water molecule sculpture (entitled – wait for it – Water Molecule) is a representation of the basic molecular structure of water (H₂O). The oxygen atoms are represented by the spheres and the hydrogen atoms appear as the connecting rods:

Renovations

In 2020 the park closed to undergo major renovations by the City of Toronto. The park partially reopened in November 2022, with an official full re-opening in spring 2023.

In addition to repairs and upgrades to the reservoir and water systems, the upgrades removed the fountains and ponds which were the main feature of the park previously, but saved the Water Molecule sculpture.

The new park features a ring trail around the park and two shady pergolas. At the northeast corner of the park the public bathroom facilities were renovated and upgraded.

The City of Toronto website lists the following park enhancements of the most recent renovation:

Re-designed park entrance on Rosehill Avenue
Expanded gardens, including a community flower garden cared for by local community volunteers
More than 250 newly planted trees and shrubs
New, accessible multi-use trails
New washrooms
Two new seasonal water fountains with dog bowls
New lighting on all paths for improved accessibility and safety
Additional benches and picnic tables
New artwork throughout, such as larger water valves and repositioned and enhanced heritage water feature (the water molecule)
New historical plaques
New community lending library

In 2021 the Water Molecule sculpture was moved from the centre of the park to a more visible location overlooking Rosehill Avenue.

A fragment of an old Reservoir pipe, now serving as a sculpture

The Rosehill Garden

Instigated and created by local residents, the Rosehill Garden in the Park adds a bit of colour (and plenty of dandelions by the look of it…) to the expanse:

The north side of the Reservoir, taken while walking along Rosehill Avenue. The park surface clearly rises over the reservoir.

Here is a very interesting (and short) CBC video on this so-called “Hidden Toronto Spot”:

References:
City of Toronto Archives
City of Toronto Construction Projects
Hidden Toronto by Dave Leblanc

Gillie & Marc Toronto Sculptures

May 5, 2026 / Marvin Job / 1 Comment

Gillie and Marc Schattner are a British and Australian collaborative artist couple. Gillie and Marc are known for their animal, human-animal hybrid and abstract sculptures, which have been exhibited as public works of art in more than 250 cities worldwide.

The pair’s art is their way of bringing awareness to the plight of animal welfare in many countries, especially Africa. Gillie and Marc describe themselves as “Eco-Warrior Artists Using Love and Art to Save Wildlife”:

Our unifying mission is to fill the world with inspiring public art that spreads messages of love, equality, conservation and hope. As public sculpture artists and wildlife activists, our method is to put wildlife front and centre in cities across the planet, making unforgettable experiences and recreating connections with the wild world. We aim to inspire a community that passionately works for change and unity so we can all live in a better world tomorrow.
Gillie and Marc

At the moment, the following two Gillie and Marc sculptures are on display in Toronto, although I believe the Yorkville one may be gone by now.

Sculpture 1:
He Was On A Wild Ride To A Safer Place
With Rabbitwoman and Dogman

Located at David Pecaut Square, beside Metro Hall on King Street West

From the sculpture’s description:

“Together with Rabbitwoman and Dogman , this wacky, wild crew are in search of safety. This white rhino is threatened by endangerment, mainly from poaching and habitat loss. His only chance of survival is if everyone comes together, lending their peddling power to save all species.”

“Rabbitwoman and Dogman tell the autobiographical tale of two opposites coming together as best friends and soulmates. This beloved pair of characters work as our conduit with wildlife, helping us find joy in nature and rekindle our connection with the wild. In the last 50 years, 70% of the planet’s wildlife has been lost. We must act now to save them. Share your own photo with the hashtag #LoveTheLast and join the campaign for conservation”.

Sculpture 2:
Table Of Love

Located at 120 Scollard Street in Yorkville

From the sculpture’s description:

Even Though It Was Their First Date, He Asked Her to Marry Him. And She Said YES

“They say when you know, you know, and Dogman and Rabbitwoman both did after just one date. They met, they had dinner, he asked, she said yes. And within a week of first meeting each other they were in Nepal getting married in the foothills of Mount Everest. They still love going on dates together, sharing food, laughter and conversation. And after all this time – to adventure, to chance, to each other – they always say yes.”

Gillie and Marc have an amazing, interesting and very extensive website, located here.

“Rekindle” on the Toronto Sign

May 2, 2026 / Marvin Job / 1 Comment

Everyone knows our famous TORONTO sign in Nathan Phillips Square, but how often have we taken a really close look at it? I hadn’t, until now. The current “wrap” (as these designs are called) has been in place since September of 2022; I’ve seen it so many times it’s burned into my memory, and I’ve taken the sign for granted without really looking closely at it.

I just learned that the City of Toronto will soon be removing the wrap and replacing it with a special FIFA World Cup 2026 display, so I thought I’d better grab a few close-up shots before the current wrap disappears forever. On close inspection the wrap reveals some very beautiful artwork.

Our iconic TORONTO sign was originally created for the 2015 Pan American Games as a temporary attraction meant to be dismantled in November 2016, but the City of Toronto decided to continue to operate the sign after it became popular with tourists and residents. A 3D leaf structure was added to the sign in 2017 to mark Canada’s 150th birthday.

The current vinyl wrap is an artwork entitled Rekindle, designed by artist Joseph Sagaj in recognition of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022 to 2032). Joseph Sagaj is Anishnaabe (Ojibwe) of the Sturgeon Clan, from the remote community of Neskantaga, approximately 500 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

This 3D Medicine Wheel was installed on June 18, 2018 in honour of Indigenous Peoples and timed to elevate awareness of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21 of that year. The Medicine Wheel symbol was chosen as it is an emblem of North American Indigenous cultural values, tradition and spirituality. Its four directions (East, South, West and North) symbolize completeness, wholeness, connectedness and strength.

A Few Fun Facts About the TORONTO Sign^*

Each letter can be moved and placed on its own
Each letter is 3 m (10 ft) tall and rests on a weighted plinth (base)
The full word is 22 m (74 ft) long
The weight of the whole sign is 9,207 kg (20,300 lbs)
Each letter weighs approximately 136 kg (300 lbs)
Each letter plinth (base) weighs approximately 1,180 kg (2,600 lbs)
Each letter is equipped with LED lights and can transition to approximately 228 million different colours
The Sign contains approximately 396 m (1,300 ft) of LED lights
The letters are constructed with a steel frame, aluminum cladding and a translucent polycarbonate front and back
The colourful sides are covered in a changeable vinyl wrap, so the letters can be re-skinned with different designs

^*Courtesy of the City of Toronto’s Toronto Sign web page

Illuminite 2026

February 24, 2026 / Marvin Job / 2 Comments

Illuminite is a free, annual winter outdoor art festival organized by the Downtown Yonge BIA that transforms the Downtown Yonge area into a public gallery with interactive light installations. This year the event features five main installations focused on the theme of “Play”.

Each site features a playful, interactive experience designed to spark joy, movement, and connection in the heart of winter. Whether you’re a curious explorer or just passing through, Illuminite 2026 invites everyone to pause, play, and light up the city together.

This year the five art installations are located at:

Yonge-Dundas Square
Trinity Square Park
College Park
777 Bay Plaza
Granby Parkette

I paid a little visit to each site; here’s what I found (installation descriptions courtesy of the Illuminite 2026 website):

Pop!

Something Fun Is Popping Up
Company: Gentilhomme
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square (1 Dundas Street East)

Something playful is bubbling beneath the surface at Yonge-Dundas Square, and it’s ready to POP! Hidden inside glowing monoliths are five quirky characters – named Popo, Popup, Popli, Popette, and Popotin – just waiting to burst out and start the party.

To set them free, you’ll need to call out, sing, or dance your way into their world. As each figure responds with movement, sound, and colour, the installation transforms into a joyful, collective celebration of music, surprise, and togetherness.

Domino Effect

Sparks In Sequence
Artist: Ingrid Ingrid
Location: Trinity Square Park (19 Trinity Square, behind Eaton Centre)

Get ready to knock down winter blues with a musical chain reaction! Domino Effect invites visitors of all ages to play, collaborate, and co-create a symphony of sound and light using giant pastel-coloured dominos.

Each domino triggers a unique note, from vocals to percussion, and every cascade becomes a playful performance of rhythm, colour, and connection. Work together to build longer sequences, reverse the direction, and unlock new melodies in this interactive orchestra of joy.

Horizon

The Light Is In Sight
Artist: MattCreative
Location: College Park – Yonge Street Entrance (420 Yonge Street)

Step into a glowing field of motion and colour. Horizon is a large-scale 3D LED matrix that visualizes waves of light as they move through space and time. With over 3,000 LEDs and interactive controls, this immersive installation invites you to shape shifting patterns of light in real time, turning College Park into a dynamic playground of sight and sound.

Oval Swings

Coming Full Circle
Company: Prevail Activations
Location: 777 Bay Plaza (777 Bay Street)

Feel the glow and let yourself sway. Oval Swings bring playful energy and luminous charm to 777 Bay Plaza. Designed for all ages, these glowing LED swings invite you to pause, connect, and capture the moment: a joyful blend of movement, light, and pure winter magic.

A delightful, hands-on experience that turns Trinity Square Park into a hub of movement, laughter, and collective creativity.

Hearts At Play

Find The Missing Piece
Artist: Daria Domnikova
Location: Granby Parkette (431 Yonge Street)

Granby Parkette comes alive with Hearts at Play, a vibrant trio of interactive sculptures that celebrate community, creativity, and connection in Downtown Yonge.

Bold in colour and glowing with light, these artworks encourage visitors to pause, play, reflect, and rediscover the heart of the city, and their place within it.

Illuminite runs until March 8, 2026. The event is now in its third year.

Sally, The White Elephant

August 31, 2025 / Marvin Job / 3 Comments

On the front lawn of a house located at 77 Yarmouth Road in the Christie Street-Dupont Street area, there sits a life-sized white elephant sculpture. Why, you might ask?

The sculpture was created in 1999 by Matt Donovan as part of his student thesis project at Ontario College of Art and Design. The sculpture has a fibreglass and chicken wire body, coated with spray foam over a plywood skeleton. The pachyderm, named Sally (for reasons unknown), stands nine and a half feet tall. Apparently the sculpture originally included a bronze red herring and a flock of life-size concrete black sheep.

In 2003, Sally was given to James Lawson, a friend of Matt Donovan. Thereafter, Sally was placed in front of Lawson’s home, where she has been standing for the past two decades:

Berczy Park Dog Fountain

March 18, 2025 / Marvin Job / 2 Comments

Springtime has come to Berczy Park.

Someone put little red and green scarves on the pups in the Berczy Park dog fountain… very cute!

McMurtry Gardens of Justice

December 15, 2024 / Marvin Job / 1 Comment

The McMurtry Gardens of Justice on University Avenue is a series of sculptures and fountains sitting among Osgoode Hall, the Law Society of Ontario, and the Superior Court of Justice. Each item in the gallery is designed to represent one of the fundamental legal rights that belong to all Canadians.

The McMurtry Gardens of Justice were created to recognize the Honourable R. Roy McMurtry, who served Ontario for decades as a public servant, elected official, and diplomat. McMurtry was a Member of Provincial Parliament from 1975 to 1985, spending part of that time as the Attorney General of Ontario. He was appointed to the Superior Court of Ontario in 1991 as the Associate Chief Justice, and by 1996 he became the Chief Justice of Ontario at the head of the Court of Appeal. He remained there until he retired in 2007, which was the same year the Gardens opened.

The Pillars of Justice

This statue is a prominent landmark in downtown Toronto, standing in front of the courthouse containing the Superior Court of Justice. When it was unveiled in 2007, The Pillars of Justice was the first and only statue in the McMurtry Gardens of Justice.

The Pillars of Justice was sculpted by Edwina Sandys in 2007. She was first inspired to be an artist when she saw her grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill, painting. Over the last 35 years, the United Nations has commissioned five of her sculptures for their centres in Geneva, Vienna, Rio de Janeiro, Dublin, and New York. Her work is famous for responding to political and social issues, and this piece is no different.

This sculpture depicts a jury of eleven people standing under a roof that represents a courthouse. Juries are usually made up of twelve people, depending on the type of case. Looking at The Pillars of Justice, you will notice an empty space where the twelfth juror would be. This empty space invites the viewer to imagine they are the twelfth juror.

The McMurtry Fountains

The McMurtry Fountains were designed by landscape architect Michael Hough and installed in 1964. They were restored in 2010. The fountains act as symbols of balance and justice, themes that run throughout the Gardens. They form a significant cultural presence in the City of Toronto and continue to symbolize the importance that Canadians place on the values of our justice system and human rights:

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression is a bronze and stainless steel sculpture created by Marlene Hilton Moore in 2012. Hilton Moore is a renowned artist based in Hillsdale, Ontario. She has created public art and hosted art exhibitions in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick. She is also responsible for the Freedom of Religion statue that faces this one. These two pieces, along with Equal Before the Law, were added to the Gardens in 2012.

The statue depicts a female figure delivering a speech with her arms open wide, holding a book in one hand. The figure stands on a black-brown base of granite, determined to communicate her message. Both of Hilton Moore’s pieces use bronze, which is usually associated with classical sculpture, and stainless steel, which we see in contemporary art and architecture.

Freedom of Religion

Freedom of Religion was created by Marlene Hilton Moore in 2012, who also made the Freedom of Expression statue across from it. Both figures are made of bronze. Like Freedom of Expression, this piece stands on a base of black-brown granite.

This sculpture depicts a male figure proudly holding up a globe. The globe is covered with eleven symbols associated with the world’s religions and faith groups. The individual symbols are beautiful images in their own right, and together they represent and individual’s freedom to practice whatever religion they choose:

Frederick G. Gans, Q.C. Memorial

This piece, created by local Canadian artist Maryon Kantaroff in 1980, is a memorial to lawyer Frederick G. Gans. Gans was killed in 1978 by a former client’s husband in the hallway of the courthouse that used be at 145 Queen Street West (now the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts). Although installed in 1980 and not formally a part of the Gardens, the sculpture is consistent with the Gardens’ themes in style and values:

Equal Before The Law

By Eldon Garnet, 2011. The lion and the lamb are represented as classic figures in Western thought. The lamb often signifies purity, meekness, and vulnerability, while the lion is the ‘king of beasts,’ powerful and imposing. The lamb and lion’s physical differences are amplified by their symbolic meanings.

Both of these animals are life-sized and constructed out of bronze. This sculpture connects to the other pieces of art in the Gardens by combining bronze and stainless steel, which is used in the scale:

The tower is twisted to a 60-degree angle, which runs parallel to the top of the scales. The ends of the platform are cut at 30-degree angles in relation to the support tower. Everything is calculated to be in perfect proportion, always balanced but turned or angled. The final effect is a scale that gets its balance from a good deal of complexity and careful planning.

The text on the scale is taken directly from section 15(1) of the Charter. It reads: “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.” The Charter continues, “and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age, or mental and physical disability.”

Scales of Justice Bike Rack

In April 2019, the Toronto Lawyers Assocation (TLA) dedicated a new Scales of Justice bike rack at the Court House, 361 University Avenue. The bike rack/sculpture is composed of a series of scales of justice, engraved with legal principles, as suggested by the clerks of the Court of Appeal. The work was produced with the assistance of at-risk youth:

References: Osgoode Hall

The Max Tanenbaum Healing Garden

August 19, 2024 / Marvin Job / 1 Comment

The Max Tanenbaum Healing Garden is found on the 14th floor Atrium of the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at 610 University Avenue. I should mention that the Healing Garden is not to be confused with the Max Tanenbaum Sculpture Garden at the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital (click here for my earlier post on the Sculpture Garden).

A view of the Healing Garden from above
Illustration: Janet Rosenberg & Studio

Artist’s interpretation of the Garden from above. The viewing Atrium is on the right.
Illustration: Janet Rosenberg & Studio

The Max Tanenbaum Healing Garden officially opened on November 10th, 2014. It was established by the Tauba and Solomon Spiro Family Foundation in honour of Tauba’s father, Max Tanenbaum, a noted businessman and philanthropist who loved nature and the outdoors. Created as a year-round oasis for patients and visitors at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, the Max Tanenbaum Healing Garden is a creative way to honour those who have been affected by cancer.

The challenge was to create a natural and beautiful space without using live plants in order to ensure a pleasing, year-round, no-maintenance garden on the 14th floor Atrium of Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

In response to this challenge came the design from Janet Rosenberg and Studio. The Studio design uses the strong, cultivated patterns of formal French gardens and incorporates the artistry of hand-blown glass flowers, enclosed by an artificial boxwood hedge. The vertical walls feature decorative panels that add another visual dimension and unify a garden rich in colour, creativity and natural forms:

The hand blown glass flowers have each been created to blend together in a colourful garden that resembles a rainbow; red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple are all represented in the garden with flowers that carry one colour or a blend of multiple colours and tones:

Here’s a short video of the Healing Garden:

Flowers can be dedicated via a monetary gift to the Cancer Centre. Here’s a little info from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s web page:

Secure a flower in The Max Tanenbaum Healing Garden with a gift of $1,000 and dedicate it to a loved one. If you would like to make more than one dedication, then you may secure multiple flowers; each flower can be dedicated with a donation of $1,000.

The Healing Garden is a display of honour, hope and healing and is a tribute to the many loved ones who have been affected by cancer. Every flower helps us to continue making advancements in patient care at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and carry out our mission to Conquer Cancer In Our Lifetime.

There are a limited number of flowers available – To ensure that you are a part of this beautiful display, please make your gift today. You can also call (437) 225-1711 to secure your flower over the phone.

Text reference: The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Underpass Park

August 4, 2024 / Marvin Job / 2 Comments

Underpass Park is truly an interesting and unique place in Toronto. Opened on August 2, 2012, the Park is located under the Eastern Avenue, Richmond and Adelaide overpasses. The actual address is 168 Eastern Avenue.

Designed to transform derelict and underused space, the park takes full advantage of the concrete beams and columns of the overpasses to create a unique and inviting community asset and provide year round weather protection.

This unique public space is part of Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization efforts of the West Don Lands neighbourhood. It serves to link Corktown Common, River Square and the neighbourhoods of both sides of the overpass complex through the provision of safe and animated public realm design.

Mirage

A public art layer was integrated into the underside of the structure to interact with the lighting scheme and to reduce the oppressive character of the heavy structures above. A portion of the overpass ceiling is adorned with a reflective public art piece entitled Mirage, created by Paul Raff Studio in 2012. This mirrored artwork dramatically brightens the covered spaces, adding to the interplay of natural light during the day and becoming its own piece of magic at night when the park lighting scheme is fully employed.

The artwork on the ceiling of the park uses the unique condition of the site to recreate a naturally occurring optical illusion that blurs the boundary between ground and sky.
Paul Raff, creator of Mirage

Playground & Recreation Facilities

A sizable playground is located in the middle section of the park, between St. Lawrence Street and River Street. The eastern-most section of the park, east of River Street, includes two basketball half-courts, and an extensive skatepark featuring a series of obstacles, rails and ledges. There is also a flexible open space that can be used for community events:

The Locals

Several of the figures on the pillars are caricatures of local residents:

Designed by landscape architects PFS Studio with The Planning Partnership, Underpass Park is part of an ongoing effort to transform pockets of neglected urban spaces on the waterfront into valued public amenities.

The Park is another project of the developer WaterfrontToronto, a joint effort of the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, created in 2001. Their focus is to create parks, public art, infrastructure and buildings that combine to create vibrant waterfront neighbourhoods, for example, The Bentway and Underpass Park; these gave unused spaces a new life.

Underpass Park is the 18th public space that the WaterfrontToronto group has built or revitalized since 2005 in the Toronto waterfront district.

Click here to view the entire photo album of this TO Cityscape

The “Village Gateways”

May 25, 2024 / Marvin Job / 1 Comment

On Church Street there are “village gateways” which indicate the boundaries of the Church-Wellesley Business Improvement Area (BIA). The markers consist of two 22-foot signposts with swirling rainbow blades. At night, lights inside the markers illuminate writing on the cube base, which reads: Church-Wellesley Village. Each of the two markers is accompanied by a colourful utility box depicting caricatures of people living in and around the village.

The gateway markers were designed by architect Claudio Santo and installed during early 2013. Claudio Santon says the BIA gave him a fair amount of artistic freedom within certain design specifications. He says they wanted a representation of the rainbow flag, which is iconic of the Church-Wellesley Village. They also wanted the markers to convey a sense of inclusion, because everyone is welcome in the Village.

The South Gateway

The South Gateway is located at 484 Church Street, on the west side of Church Street between Wood and Alexander Streets. It accompanies the The Village utility box (left, in shot below):

The North Gateway

The North Gateway is located at 557 Church Street, outside Hasty Market, between Gloucester and Monteith Streets. It is also coupled with a fun and colourful depiction of village folks on a nearby utility box (right side, below):