Toronto’s AGO to Unveil Thomas J Price’s “Moments Contained” in Landmark Public Installation

Internationally renowned artist Thomas J Price’s 2.7-metre bronze sculpture ‘Moments Contained’ finds a permanent home at Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario, supported by Black and Caribbean community donors.

Toronto, ON – The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is unveiling a significant new public artwork this evening: Moments Contained (2023), a large-scale bronze sculpture by internationally recognized artist Thomas J Price.

A New Cultural Landmark in Toronto

Standing 2.7 meters tall, Moments Contained depicts a young Black woman dressed in casual attire. While her stance suggests quiet confidence, her clenched fists hidden in her pockets hint at underlying tension—a subtle reflection of resilience and contemplation in public space.

The sculpture will be installed at the AGO’s main entrance on Dundas Street West, overlooking the intersection at McCaul Street, creating a new focal point for public engagement with art in downtown Toronto.

Community-Backed Acquisition

The acquisition of Moments Contained was made possible through generous contributions from a group of donors, many from Toronto’s Black and Caribbean communities. Lead funding came from an anonymous donor, alongside support from David W. Binet and The Haynes-Connell Foundation.

“Around the world, Price’s powerful figures are helping us reimagine public sculpture, and it is with excitement that we welcome extraordinary art to Toronto,” said Stephan Jost, Michael and Sonja Koerner Director and CEO of the AGO.

Highlighting African and Diaspora Arts

Curated by Julie Crooks, head of the AGO’s Department of Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora, this installation is the department’s first public artwork acquisition. Since its founding in 2020, the department has worked to address historic gaps in representation by showcasing African and diasporic artists through exhibitions, acquisitions, and community-driven initiatives.

Thomas J Price’s Artistic Vision

Known globally for his monumental “psychological portraits,” Price creates fictionalized figures inspired by classical sculpture and contemporary observation. His process combines traditional sculpting with advanced 3D scanning technology, resulting in works that capture nuanced emotional states and challenge established narratives in public art.

Post-Unveiling Programs and Discussions

Following the unveiling of Moments Contained, the Art Gallery of Ontario will continue programming centered on Thomas J Price’s work. Visitors can view the sculpture permanently installed outside the AGO’s main entrance, where it will be accessible to the public year-round. Additional talks and guided tours focusing on Price’s artistic process, the representation of Black figures in public art, and the role of diasporic narratives in contemporary sculpture are planned for the coming weeks. These programs aim to foster ongoing dialogue about the significance of Moments Contained within Toronto’s cultural landscape.

Admission to the AGO is free for Ontarians under 25, Indigenous Peoples, AGO Members, and Annual Passholders. Event details and ticket information are available at ago.ca.

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