2023 Artist-In-Residence: Simon Pope
Waterfront Toronto and the Waterfront BIA are excited to announce Simon Pope as the next artist-in-residence at the waterfront.
Simon Pope is a Toronto-based artist who has a participatory walking art approach that will examine everyday interactions of people on the waterfront.
20 years ago, Simon’s art form evolved into walking as an art practice after publishing London Walking in 2000. The London Walking project focused on residents and visitors and their relationship with the city on foot. Pope’s approach to walking as a contemporary art form allows participants to explore how we all live together and our relationship with the material.
"This mode of art practice is extremely accessible to participants, and readily lends itself to group work, to learning together and to building new communities of interest"
The goal of the artist residency is to create meaningful experiences along the waterfront and attract new visitors to the water’s edge. Pope was selected from an application pool of more than 30 submissions.
Pope is the third waterfront artist-in-residence, after Lisa Hirmer and the inaugural residents, the Black Speculative Arts Movement Canada (now practising as Oddside Arts).
“Public art is a vital part of building a waterfront that belongs to everyone and I’m thrilled to welcome Simon as the next artist-in-residence,” said George Zegarac, Waterfront Toronto president and CEO. “The great enthusiasm we continue to see every year around this residency is proof that the waterfront has become a major arts and cultural destination that attracts leading artistic talent.”
“The artist-in-residence program continues to inspire the community as it proposes bold new ways to animate the waterfront and engage visitors,” said Tim Kocur, executive director of the Waterfront Business Improvement Area. “Simon will be another inspiration and we look forward to seeing how his works enhance our vision of a growing creative and cultural hub.”
About Waterfront Toronto
Waterfront Toronto is a corporation created by the governments of Canada, Ontario and the City of Toronto with a mandate to revitalize the lands by Lake Ontario, transforming past industrial sites into thriving neighbourhoods that support economic vitality and enhance quality of life. Its newly launched Temporary Art Program is designed to broaden the arts culture along the waterfront by providing flexible access to physical spaces and partnerships. Through this initiative it is possible to engage a greater diversity of artistic voices to help reimagine and shift our relationship to and understanding of our shoreline. The rapidly changing landscape of our waterfront creates a backdrop of contrast, transition, and growth for art projects to foster healthy public dialogue on timely issues.
About the Waterfront BIA
Representing businesses along the Queens Quay corridor, the Waterfront Business Improvement Area (WBIA) is committed to supporting businesses, unifying the Waterfront and engaging the community. Activities of the WBIA include representing the area on key policy and advocacy issues, making targeted public realm improvements and highlighting the area’s vibrancy with activations and daily promotion online.
This article features content from Waterfront Toronto’s press release.
