City of Toronto unveils a new Indigenous-led public art sculpture at Humber Bay Shores
TORONTO, Oct. 28, 2024 – A dramatic new public art sculpture has been unveiled at Humber Bay Shores. Deputy Mayor Amber Morley (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) joined Indigenous leaders, artists and community members at the mouth of the Humber River to unveil Campfire. The new public art installation reflects the spirit of Indigenous peacekeeping and connects the past with the present.
Indigenous-led public art
The 12-foot-tall piece was created by renowned Canadian sculptor Michael Belmore, of Anishinaabe descent, in collaboration with Herman Mejia, an artist and designer originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and now based in Etobicoke. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, whose historical ties to the land are honoured through this installation, played an important advisory role in the project.
Campfire sculpture
Campfire, made of Corten and stainless steel, reflects the spirit of Indigenous placekeeping, inviting the community to gather around its symbolic hearth. This sculpture is the latest addition to the City of Toronto’s Public Art and Monuments Collection, a growing collection of close to 400 public art pieces across the city.
The new sculpture stands as a new landmark and gathering place at the mouth of Toronto’s Humber River. Inspired by the symbolism of a campfire at the water’s edge, it evokes warmth, comfort, and reflection—a timeless beacon that connects us to journeys past and present.
Spirit of travel, rest and community
Campfire invites visitors to pause and gather, embodying the spirit of travel, rest, and community in a place where stories are shared, and memories take shape. The project was commissioned by the City of Toronto and selected through the Humber Bay public art competition process.
Toronto Public Art Strategy
New public art installations are informed by the Toronto Public Art Strategy (2020-2030), which aims to foster creativity, inclusion and engagement in Toronto’s neighborhoods through artistic expression.
Learn more about the City’s public art initiatives by visiting the City’s webpage.
Learn more about the City’s Public Art Strategy (2020-2030) at the City’s webpage.
SOURCE City of Toronto
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