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TalkWalk Art, sculpture, landmark guided walks. Gems and lemons, obvious and obscure – all in the eye of the beholder. Informative, fun, engaging, factual, interpr
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Toronto Public Art and Sculpture Guided Walking Tours
"The Talk of the Town"

Stunning day for enjoying Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach Toronto. Appropriate and timely theme of migration. Conclude...
19/03/2019

Stunning day for enjoying Winter Stations at Woodbine Beach Toronto. Appropriate and timely theme of migration. Concludes 1st April. Make sure to fit in a beach walk with temporary art installations. @ Woodbine Beach

Sorry to learn that Joe Fafard, artist, and creator of the iconic cows at Toronto’s TD Plaza recently died. “Pasture” pr...
19/03/2019

Sorry to learn that Joe Fafard, artist, and creator of the iconic cows at Toronto’s TD Plaza recently died. “Pasture” provides a welcome and humourous oasis in the centre of the bustling business district. Fafard’s creation is a great favourite with locals and visitors alike and a real asset for the city.

The covered bridge walkway between Hudson’s Bay Department Store/Saks of Fifth Avenue and the Eaton Centre is as much a ...
17/03/2019

The covered bridge walkway between Hudson’s Bay Department Store/Saks of Fifth Avenue and the Eaton Centre is as much a sculptural highlight as it is an engineering feat. Like a camera aperture, or the opening to any James Bond film, the bridge beautifully transforms from the rounded archway at Hudson’s Bay to the square opening on the other side of the road into the Eaton Centre. Large windows offer great views of Old City Hall and its clock tower with gargoyles lunging out. The floor gently moves like a swing-bridge as pedestrians make their way over it.

The elephant in the room. This is Tembo, which is the Swahili word for elephant. The adult appears to be confidently mak...
01/03/2019

The elephant in the room. This is Tembo, which is the Swahili word for elephant. The adult appears to be confidently making her way, plowing (?), through snowy Commerce Court followed by two youngsters. Sculpted by Derek Hudson, it took a year to create and is welded together from 31 pieces of metal. One of a number of works donated by successful businessman and philanthropist Louis (“Bud”) Odette whose firm Eastern Construction had worked on such projects as Roy Thomson Hall and the CBC building in downtown Toronto. Bud had bought an elephant sculpture while snowbirding (escaping Toronto’s winter) in Florida and ferried it around several foundries in Ontario until he found one that said they could make a life size model. There’s a Tembo in Windsor, and a baby Tembo at the London School of Economics.

How ice cream used to be made. First step: freeze the cow. From Joe Fafard’s 1985 “Pasture” - a sculptural work of 7 bro...
01/03/2019

How ice cream used to be made. First step: freeze the cow. From Joe Fafard’s 1985 “Pasture” - a sculptural work of 7 bronze cows on a lawn in the middle of the financial district. The work reflects back to when this part of (what is now known of as) Toronto would have been pasture and cows an important asset - for the supply of dairy needs, and as the equivalent of machinery dragging felled logs, clearing land and tracks for roadways.

Last Alarm (2000) by Yolanda Vandergaast, commemorates Toronto firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The sculp...
28/02/2019

Last Alarm (2000) by Yolanda Vandergaast, commemorates Toronto firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The sculpture includes a bronze portrayal of a fire fighter holding a rescued infant. Today’s icicle adds a further layer of poignancy if we liken it to a tear, and/or perhaps it could also be likened to images that show how quickly water applied to fires in freezing conditions becomes ice. @ HTO Park

Family Group, (1972) by Almuth Lutkenhaud-Lackey, was donated by the Historical Society of Mecklinberg Upper Canada in m...
28/02/2019

Family Group, (1972) by Almuth Lutkenhaud-Lackey, was donated by the Historical Society of Mecklinberg Upper Canada in memory of Johann Albrecht Ulrich Moll. Moll was a colourful character, an artist and diplomat, who escaped a bungled spying mission in Poland by disguising himself to enter a Turkish harem, ended up being kidnaped by Hungarian bandits, and charmed his way into North America with 200 fellow Germans. His name by this stage was William Berzcy, and the park this sculpture is modestly displayed bears his name. Berzcy entered into a deal in 1794 to build Yonge Street from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe (a project they didn’t complete). Years later, in 1834, his son was on council and proposed a name change for the town of York to “Toronto”. The snow is the perfect backdrop for the Family Group shadow.

Float Forms by Douglas Coupland 2007. These fantastic forms are oversized depictions of fishing bobbers, denoting the la...
28/02/2019

Float Forms by Douglas Coupland 2007. These fantastic forms are oversized depictions of fishing bobbers, denoting the lakefront theme at City Place. For those who don’t fish, bobbers (or floats) are usually attached to a fishing line and can drift in the prevailing current with a suspended baited hook. It also indicates when a fish has taken the bait. The CN Tower behind looks like the biggest bobber of them all.

Trompe l’oeil, a trick of the eye - an optical illusion whereby the subject appears realistic. A 1980 mural at the back ...
28/02/2019

Trompe l’oeil, a trick of the eye - an optical illusion whereby the subject appears realistic. A 1980 mural at the back of the historic Gooderhan Building, also known as the Flatiron Building, in Toronto by Derek Besant. Painted on 51 separate panels, and currently seen from all angles of Berzcy Park.

Dashing through the snow. Mail mushers. This scene depicts the Canadian mail service delivering parcels and letters in...
28/02/2019

Dashing through the snow. Mail mushers. This scene depicts the Canadian mail service delivering parcels and letters in wintry conditions with dogs and sleigh. Bas-relief stone-carved scenes by Louis Temperole are a highlight of the old Toronto Postal Delivery Building (now Scotiabank Arena). “No finer stone carver in the world” were the words to describe artist Temperole in 1939. Check them out when you walk past them on the way to watch the Raptors or the Maple Leafs; or events including Ellen Degeneres, Muse, and Ariane Grande.

The second hand statue of a king. “I was not really after Edward VII. I was after a great horse”; said Harry Jackman wh...
23/02/2019

The second hand statue of a king. “I was not really after Edward VII. I was after a great horse”; said Harry Jackman who financed the transportation of the statue from Delhi to Toronto in 1968.

“I think it would be delightful if the statue were installed as a kind of playground. It would be disastrous to regard it as a work of art, but as a campy symbol of the British Empire it would be perfect. Particularly if it were painted in Sergeant Pepper colours!”; said Toronto art consultant Michael Greenwood.

Gallery owner Jack Po***ck said “the only significance the statue had was that it was large and made of bronze”, adding “that’s the tragedy of it, because bronze lasts forever.”

The statue of King Edward VII by British sculptor Thomas Brock was unveiled in Delhi in 1922. When India was “in the process of getting rid of reminders of the days of British rule”, transportation to Toronto was financed before a location was chosen for it. The statue now stands in Queen’s Park – fittingly opened by Edward when he was Prince of Wales, and dedicated to his mother Queen Victoria.

Credit Torontoist for background info.

It’s been a good weekend to sit back and do less. And a great way to do less is to do Moore. Henry Moore, that is. The A...
18/02/2019

It’s been a good weekend to sit back and do less. And a great way to do less is to do Moore. Henry Moore, that is. The AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto) has one of the worlds best collections of work by renowned sculptor Henry Moore, and an entire gallery devoted to his work.

Temporary designs. Toronto carpark. Spirograph-like, by tyres.
13/02/2019

Temporary designs. Toronto carpark. Spirograph-like, by tyres.

A wintry scene to mark today’s snow storm. Each winter in the 1940s and 1950s, the fire brigade created a huge skating r...
12/02/2019

A wintry scene to mark today’s snow storm. Each winter in the 1940s and 1950s, the fire brigade created a huge skating rink in Etobicoke by diverting the water from Mimico Creek to flood Central Park south of Dundas West. The mural and story can be seen at 4988 Dundas Street W, Islington Village.

“Tweeta-Gate” by Elena Papadimitriou and Stefanos Ziros of Space Oddity Studios SOS (Athens, Greece). The yellow rays fr...
31/01/2019

“Tweeta-Gate” by Elena Papadimitriou and Stefanos Ziros of Space Oddity Studios SOS (Athens, Greece). The yellow rays from the gates brightening a cold day. The structure framing the landscape with an avenue of familiar architectural shapes. One of five temporary art installations in the “Ice Breakers” public art event on Toronto’s waterfront.

“Stellar Spectra”, inside and out, by Rob Shostak and Dionisios Vriniotis. Part of “Ice Breakers” on Toronto’s waterfron...
30/01/2019

“Stellar Spectra”, inside and out, by Rob Shostak and Dionisios Vriniotis. Part of “Ice Breakers” on Toronto’s waterfront. One of five temporary public art installations. Like a chapel for one, it’s a really nice space to enter and soak up the warm light. @ Toronto waterfront

The yellow structure that glows in the snow. “Puente de Luz” (Bridge of Light) by sculptor Francisco Gazitua (Chile) spa...
29/01/2019

The yellow structure that glows in the snow. “Puente de Luz” (Bridge of Light) by sculptor Francisco Gazitua (Chile) spans a busy railway corridor and provides pedestrian and cycle access to thousands each day in Toronto.

Toronto is a winter walking wonderland - and you don’t have to go outside to see some great landmarks. TalkWalk’s “Insid...
22/01/2019

Toronto is a winter walking wonderland - and you don’t have to go outside to see some great landmarks. TalkWalk’s “Inside Job” navigates the PATH network to take visitors to intriguing works of public sculpture, art, and architecture - all while staying warm and dry. Here’s the Allen Lambert Galleria at Brookfield Place - design by Santiago Calatrava.

Relief, anguish, optimism, grief - are some of the many feeling that are accentuated by the cold when you view the sculp...
20/01/2019

Relief, anguish, optimism, grief - are some of the many feeling that are accentuated by the cold when you view the sculpture of refugees from the Irish famine in Rowan Gillespie’s “The Arrival” at Toronto’s Ireland Park. In 1847 Toronto had a population of 20,000. Between July and October of that year almost 40,000 immigrants landed at the city’s waterfront. They were malnourished, and poor and seeking a better life - or any life. Many citizens regarded them as feckless and unemployable. Having escaped the atrocities of famine, many were about to experience the unforgiving Canadian winter.

Tom Thomson’s Canoe by Douglas Coupland. CityPlace. Some public artworks really “pop” surrounded by snow!
20/01/2019

Tom Thomson’s Canoe by Douglas Coupland. CityPlace. Some public artworks really “pop” surrounded by snow!

Terrific guided tour of TD Gallery of Inuit Art today. Thanks to TD Art Collection team and Inuit Art Foundation for an ...
17/01/2019

Terrific guided tour of TD Gallery of Inuit Art today. Thanks to TD Art Collection team and Inuit Art Foundation for an informative and friendly tour. Tours will be monthly and are free! More info at art.td.com. The TD Gallery of Inuit Art is an absolute treasure, and a generous gift to the people of Canada, Toronto, and visitors to the city. TalkWalk is proud to include a visit to the TD Gallery of Inuit Art in the “Art of Politics and Finance” and “Inside Job” walking tours of public sculpture and art in Toronto’s downtown core.

Snom’n by Fastwurms, 1997. A familiar winter sculpture normally shaped by hand - except this one is in black bronze. Rem...
05/12/2018

Snom’n by Fastwurms, 1997. A familiar winter sculpture normally shaped by hand - except this one is in black bronze. Removing the “a” suggests gender fluidity. Instead Of being snow-white it is also a possible commentary on environmental issues. Either way, it’s a really nice sentry to the downtown convention centre, and a welcome point of interest and humour.

You just have to go! Mickalene Thomas’ not-to-be missed exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. A fabulous bo...
02/12/2018

You just have to go! Mickalene Thomas’ not-to-be missed exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto. A fabulous body of work, inspiring and provocative. Femmes Noires on until 24 March 2019. @ AGO - Art Gallery of Ontario

Always left wanting Moore. Large Two Forms, with OCAD University’s extension designed by Will Alsop as backdrop, on a fi...
02/12/2018

Always left wanting Moore. Large Two Forms, with OCAD University’s extension designed by Will Alsop as backdrop, on a fine December day of gallery hopping.

Before the lakes freeze over...a scene from the Islington murals “Fishing in Mimico Creek” by Kohn Kuna, 2012. 5096 Dund...
30/11/2018

Before the lakes freeze over...a scene from the Islington murals “Fishing in Mimico Creek” by Kohn Kuna, 2012. 5096 Dundas West. The snapping turtle is appropriate given we live on Turtle Island.

As the weather cools, it’s time to seek blue skies and mighty palm trees with fronds outstretched. So I go to Brookfield...
28/11/2018

As the weather cools, it’s time to seek blue skies and mighty palm trees with fronds outstretched. So I go to Brookfield Place on Bay St. Santiago Calatrava creates a downtown tropical paradise beyond the Allen Lambert Galleria.

Too much head on that beer? Pothead? I’d say this ceramic drinking vessel turned heads! From the Royal Ontario Museum’s ...
26/11/2018

Too much head on that beer? Pothead? I’d say this ceramic drinking vessel turned heads! From the Royal Ontario Museum’s fine collection of unbroken entertainers’ choicest hospitality paraphernalia. Sometimes you just have to grab life with both hands.

Fish out of water. “Salmon Run” by Susan Schelle. While elsewhere in the world some have called for the swamp to be drai...
21/11/2018

Fish out of water. “Salmon Run” by Susan Schelle. While elsewhere in the world some have called for the swamp to be drained, winter in Toronto means it’s time to drain the the fountains. Sixty bronze salmon still appear to swim upstream to spawn under the watchful gaze of the CN Tower.

Cracked Wheat by Toronto-based artist Shary Boyle welcomes visitors to the Gardiner Museum. The artist has cleverly comb...
20/11/2018

Cracked Wheat by Toronto-based artist Shary Boyle welcomes visitors to the Gardiner Museum. The artist has cleverly combined numerous elements into the work, including the art of ormolu celebrating ceramic breakage, Humpty Dumpty, Canadian Wheat Pattern, and more - all the while acknowledging another sculpture at the entrance. Respectful, thoughtful, playful. @ Gardiner Museum

Spotted clenching at the ROM ( Royal Ontario Museum). Eros was the Greek god of love, and with an arse like that is it a...
18/11/2018

Spotted clenching at the ROM ( Royal Ontario Museum). Eros was the Greek god of love, and with an arse like that is it any wonder?! Anyway, obviously the muse for some great artists including David Bowie when he sang “We can be Eros, just for one day” - or maybe Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Lookin’ out my backdoor”.

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