City of Toronto issued the following announcement on June 8.
The City of Toronto has relaunched the Toronto Sculpture Garden, a popular downtown outdoor exhibition space from 1981 through 2014. Located at 115 King St. E., the Garden has reopened with the first of two exhibits this year.
"I am delighted this public art location is active once again and I look forward to seeing exciting new works there now and in the future," said Mayor John Tory.
The new exhibit, by Canadian artist Karen Kraven, is an installation work entitled Pins and Needles, which incorporates 10 shapes made with marine canvas and lightweight plastic.
Inspired by the histories of labour strikes that occurred at garment factories in Montreal, Toronto and New York, the exhibit takes its name from a hit Broadway show organized by the editor of a newspaper from the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. A 25th anniversary recording of the show's songs featured the vocals of a young Barbra Streisand.
Kraven's artwork takes apart the individual pieces that make up women's trench coats and transforms them into sculptural elements. The disassembled clothing casts away its functionality and suggests abandoned bodies, much like the act of going on strike. The installation will remain on display until September 15.
"The Sculpture Garden and its installations make an important contribution to the cultural vibrancy of this community," said Councillor Lucy Troisi (Ward 28 Toronto Centre-Rosedale). "This reopening demonstrates the City's ongoing efforts to create interesting public spaces for residents and visitors."
Karen Kraven is a Canadian artist who has a Master of Fine Arts from Concordia University. Her work has been shown at Friche la Belle de Mai in Marseille, France and at Mercer Union and Blackwood Gallery in Toronto. She currently lives and works in Montreal. More information about the artist is available at karenkraven.com.
The Toronto Sculpture Garden featured more than 80 artists in more than 60 exhibitions since it originally opened in 1981. The Garden was developed through the sponsorship of the Louis L. Odette Family, the City and the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture. Now fully managed by the City, the Garden will host two projects a year beginning in the spring and fall of this year.
Original source: https://www.toronto.ca/home/media-room/news-releases-media-advisories/?nrkey=1A527992E3A7C413852582A60047590C