Churchill Park Public Art Competition Awarded to Gary Barwin, Simon Frank and Tor Lukasik-Foss

Hamilton, ON –  A volunteer jury of citizens, artists and project stakeholders has selected the proposed work be:longings by Gary Barwin, Simon Frank and Tor Lukasik-Foss as the successful entry in the City of Hamilton’s Churchill Park Public Art Competition.

be:longings is comprised of a series of ten bronze-cast suitcases situated in different locations along the length of a new path in the western section of Churchill Park. The suitcases will be of various sizes and styles, contain natural materials visible from the outside, and feature luggage tags or labels embossed or engraved with symbolic imagery and text. The suitcases will lead viewers along the pathway to a living tree emerging out of an open suitcase in the central garden.

Artists were asked to propose art works that will speak to themes related to Human Rights and the legacy of great humanitarians such as Raoul Wallenberg, who saved over 100,000 Jews from the Holocaust. The winning proposal was selected from 44 submissions based on the response to the competition’s goal, appropriateness for the site, artistic excellence, technical feasibility and public consultation results.

The Jury Report notes that be:longings “speaks to themes of universal migration and... therefore appeal[s] to a broad range of people.” Jurors also felt that this proposed work most effectively addresses the goal of interactivity and self-reflection as it invites park visitors to investigate each piece as they journey along the pathway, revealing itself over time. Moreover, they found this proposal to be most responsive to the natural character of the park and nearby forest. The full Jury Report is available on the project website: https://hamilton.ca/churchillparkart

The artists’ concept statement describes the series of suitcases as referencing notions of travel, escape, refugees, emigration, and the writing, language and administration of laws and rights. The elemental materials found inside the cases refer to the weight or gravity of human history and experience, and our connectedness to the circumstance of place. The tree found growing out of an open suitcase in the central garden represents strength, hope, and the overcoming of obstacles, as it pushes through that which contains, obstructs, and controls its capacity to thrive. The artists hope to inspire visitors to be:longings to reflect on what human rights are, and how - despite the trials of history and oppression - humanity and its ideals are ultimately hopeful, inextinguishable, and irrepressible. 

The artists will be awarded $200,000 for the detailed design and fabrication of their art work. Installation is expected in the fall of 2019, pending the completion of the new pathway.

“be:longings [can]…be re-visited by neighbourhood park users, revealing itself over time and inviting ongoing reflection.” - Churchill Park Public Art Project Jury

Quick Facts

• The City defines public art as art created by artists, or in collaboration with artists, through a public process and existing on publicly owned and accessible property. 
• Public art helps strengthen the city’s visual identity, stimulates the economy, and enhances tourism and community pride.
• Since 2010 the City’s public art program has received over 274 artist proposals, consulted with over 6,416 members of the public and awarded 19 public art commissions.

Resources

• www.hamilton.ca/publicart
• [email protected], 905-546-2424 ext. 6281
• For high resolution images, contact [email protected], 905-546-2424, ext. 7612