‘Campfire’: New public art installation unveiled at Humber Bay Shores
Toronto’s newest public art installation has been unveiled at Humber Bay Shores.
The artwork, named Campfire, is 12 feet tall and honours the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation’s historical ties to the land.
“Campfire not only serves as a cultural landmark but also highlights the City’s ongoing commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and narratives through public art. Etobicoke now has a significant addition that will serve both as a gathering place and a reminder of the enduring presence of Indigenous culture,” Etobicoke-Lakeshore Deputy Mayor Amber Morley said during Saturday’s unveiling.
The installation, which is made of Corten and stainless steel, outlines the figure of a campfire. According to the city, the installation “reflects the spirit of Indigenous placekeeping, inviting the community to gather around its symbolic hearth.”
It is placed near the water and beside a paved walking trail with an outdoor sitting area.
Campfire was co-created by internationally recognized sculptor Michael Belmore, who is Canadian and of Anishinaabe descent, as well as by artist and designer Herman Mejia.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Mejia expressed the importance of artwork in storytelling, remembrance and celebration.
“Public art thrives when creative communities are able to imagine artwork that celebrates people and the shared experiences that bring community art and story together,” he said.
“We found the right piece for the right place, and I think that was really important for us,” Belmore said to the media.
“I think that Herman Mejia and I created something that gives that opportunity to be able to stay and sit in this place and feel this land and this water and this nice, cool breeze.”
Campfire is a part of the nearly 400 public art pieces included in the City of Toronto’s Public Art and Monuments Collection. The growing collection of artworks aims to foster creativity, inclusion and engagement in communities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. election results: NDP gains ground in latest release of mail-in ballot data
Elections BC released its first partial results of the final count in B.C.'s 2024 provincial election Saturday afternoon, and the data shows NDP candidates gaining in some tight races.
Ontario man tells police he harmed two family members, three found dead
Huntsville OPP and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are conducting a homicide investigation after three individuals were found dead in a Huntsville neighbourhood Friday evening.
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Lawsuit alleges Ontario man died after given 10 times prescribed dose in hospital
Angela Salvatore had been away from her father's hospital bedside for just over an hour when she says she got a frantic call from a nurse, pleading with her to calm him down.
15-year-old found dead in eastern Ontario, teen facing second-degree murder charge: OPP
Ontario Provincial Police say a 16-year-old has been charged with second-degree murder after a 15-year-old was found dead at a home in Perth, Ont. Friday afternoon.
Lizzo's Halloween costume draws inspiration from 'South Park' episode that referenced her and the weight-loss drug Ozempic
Lizzo has taken a rather silly reference to her on a recent 'South Park' episode and elevated it to a hilarious Halloween costume.
What we know about the Canadians busted in an international drug ring led by a former Olympic athlete
Canadian Ryan James Wedding finished in 24th place in the parallel giant slalom at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, but the snowboarder wouldn’t go on to improve his results in Torino four years later.
Ottawa journalist says claims that he is a Russian agent are 'fabricated'
A veteran Ottawa journalist is firing back against what he says are "entirely false" claims by a former Conservative cabinet minister that he acted as a Russian agent.
Israel's first open attack on Iran targets missile sites and apparently spares oil and nuclear ones
Israel attacked military targets in Iran with pre-dawn airstrikes Saturday in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired on Israel earlier this month. It was the first time Israel's military has openly attacked Iran.