Lassonde Art Trail Opens in Toronto's Biidaasige Park
Toronto's Port Lands have unveiled the Lassonde Art Trail, which stretches over four kilometers through Biidaasige Park on Ookwemin Minising. This trail showcases a mix of permanent artworks, long-term loans, and temporary installations within newly established public areas, all part of the waterfront redevelopment initiative. Among the featured artists are Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, Kent Monkman, and Tracey Emin. Notably, Monkman presents his inaugural permanent public sculpture, emphasizing Indigenous representation. Emin's piece is borrowed from the National Gallery of Canada. Additionally, the National Gallery plans to enhance the trail, with a significant sculpture by Alicja Kwade expected in May 2027, alongside Joana Vasconcelos' Artemisa, also slated for 2027.
Key facts
- Lassonde Art Trail is now open in Toronto's Port Lands.
- Trail spans over four kilometers in Biidaasige Park on Ookwemin Minising.
- Opening program includes 13 artists: Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka, Alexandre Arrechea, Caroline Monnet and Dean Baldwin Lew, Hank Willis Thomas, Kara Hamilton, Kent Monkman, Lisa Hirmer, Monira Al Qadiri, Nadia Belerique and Tony Romano, Oluseye, Ryan Gander, and Tracey Emin.
- Kent Monkman's contribution is his first permanent public sculpture.
- Monira Al Qadiri's First Sun was co-commissioned with Public Art Fund.
- Kara Hamilton's work developed through York University's L.L. Odette Sculptor in Residence program.
- Tracey Emin's sculpture is on loan from the National Gallery of Canada.
- Alicja Kwade commissioned for a sculpture in May 2027 using locally sourced granite.
- Joana Vasconcelos' Artemisa scheduled for 2027, entering City of Toronto's Public Art & Monuments Collection.
Entities
Artists
- Alexa Kumiko Hatanaka
- Alexandre Arrechea
- Caroline Monnet
- Dean Baldwin Lew
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Kara Hamilton
- Kent Monkman
- Lisa Hirmer
- Monira Al Qadiri
- Nadia Belerique
- Tony Romano
- Oluseye
- Ryan Gander
- Tracey Emin
- Alicja Kwade
- Joana Vasconcelos
Institutions
- Lassonde Art Trail
- Public Art Fund
- York University
- L.L. Odette Sculptor in Residence program
- National Gallery of Canada
- City of Toronto's Public Art & Monuments Collection
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Port Lands
- Biidaasige Park
- Ookwemin Minising
- Doris C. Freedman Plaza
- Central Park
- New York
- United States
- Canadian Shield
- Greater Toronto Area