Larry Sefton Memorial, 1977
Located: 500 Bay Street.
Artist: Jerome Markson
Commissioned by: United Steelworkers of America
Website: http://www.jeromemarksonarchitect.com
Contact: jeromemarksonarchitect@gmail.com
Copyright 2016, Public Art of Toronto. All rights reserved.
The statue in the Larry Sefton Memorial Park is crafted of 16 steel I-beams, tightly arranged in an upright formation representing union members standing shoulder to shoulder in unity, solidarity and strength. The piece was designed by Jerome Markson, a notable local architect. Markson is a modernist architect who has been practising since 1955. He’s designed a number memorable structures including Market Square (Toronto), Greenwood Community Housing (Toronto), The Canadian High Commission in Kuala Lampur, The Toronto Botanical Garden, the Beth Shalom Synagogue (Toronto) and a houseboat.
Trust me, it’s one heck of a houseboat.
I wish I could find out more information about Markson’s artistic endeavours, but it seems that Larry Sefton’s memorial is the only piece of public art that he’s created. I wonder what prompted him to take the commission. I’m sure there’s a story there, but it’s going to remain a mystery for now. It will have to be enough to enjoy the one work that Markson did produce.
Public Art of Toronto 