Toronto – Deputy Mayor Amber Morley (Etobicoke-Lakeshore) joined Indigenous leaders, artists and community members to unveil Campfire, a public art installation at Humber Bay Shores.
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, made of Corten and stainless steel, reflects the spirit of Indigenous placekeeping, inviting the community to gather around its symbolic hearth. This piece of art 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.
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.
“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 cultures.” – Deputy Mayor Amber Morley (Etobicoke-Lakeshore)