TORONTO, September 27, 2025 — Waterfront Toronto, unveils a new public art installation by acclaimed Toronto-based artist Ben Johnston. IT COMES IN WAVES, is a site-specific floating artwork at Harbour Square Park Basin directly in the water of Lake Ontario. On view now through early October, this dynamic text-based artwork invites visitors to reflect on the powerful role of water as both a connector and a force of change.
IT COMES IN WAVES is the fifth instalment of Waterfront Toronto’s annual Floating Art Project, an initiative launched in 2019 to transform the waterfront into a dynamic canvas for contemporary public art. Previous installations have included SOS (Safety Orange Swimmers) by Ann Hirsch and Jeremy Angier, The Peacemaker’s Canoe by Jay Havens, Happy Castaways by Isabelle Demers and Fanny Mesnard, and most recently Upcycle by Javid Jah, each offering unique opportunities to engage with Toronto’s waterfront in unexpected ways.
Waterfront Toronto’s Temporary Public Art Program is reimagining the city’s shoreline as a vibrant cultural destination through bold, short-term art installations that spark public imagination. These temporary works are part of a broader vision to reconnect people with the waterfront by designing spaces that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable.
“This installation captures the energy and imagination of Toronto’s revitalized waterfront—a place where people, nature, and creativity come together in powerful ways,” says Yvonne Monestier, Public Art Program Manager at Waterfront Toronto. “IT COMES IN WAVES is an open invitation to see Lake Ontario differently, to pause, reflect, and connect with the water in a way that’s fresh, surprising, and unforgettable.”
“With IT COMES IN WAVES, I wanted to create something that reflects the rhythm of life, how experiences, and emotions move in cycles,” says artist Ben Johnston. “The lake isn’t just a setting; it’s a collaborator for this piece. The water breaks the phrase apart and puts it back together, reminding us that nothing is fixed and everything is always in motion.”
Known for his bold, text-based murals and fine art, Johnston continues to push the boundaries of public art and design. His work often explores the intersection of type, place, and meaning, prompting new ways of seeing and interpreting everyday language.
Comprised of large, scattered floating letters that spell out the phrase IT COMES IN WAVES, the artwork drifts and shifts with the wind and current. The piece mirrors life’s
cyclical rhythms, joy, grief, change, and the elusive search for paradise, each coming and going like the waves themselves.
By dispersing the phrase across the water, Johnston transforms the lake into both a canvas and an active participant, blurring the boundaries between language, image, and environment. The result is a dynamic, contemplative experience that invites viewers to consider impermanence, emotion, and our shared interconnectedness.
Technical Highlights
- Letters measure 30″ high, crafted in aluminum and powder-coated in vibrant yellow
- Floating aluminum frames are anchored by dock floats and concrete blocks
- Solar LED lighting ensures visibility and safety at night
- Fabrication led by Trevor Wheatley & Cosmo Dean
- All paddlers, kayakers, and boaters are asked to enjoy the floating artwork from a safe distance. Paddling too close or between the letter islands could cause damage to the artwork. Please respect all posted signage and help us ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all IT COMES IN WAVES is located at 25 Queens Quay W.
lead image From Friday, September 26 to Sunday, September 28, 2025, the moon will be a waxing crescent, gradually increasing in illumination. For the perfect date night out under the moonlight, view this dreamy art installation by the waterfront and witness the letters glow.
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