Grimacing faces and folded wings. That’s the first thing you notice about the Gargoyles Sculpture in Toronto’s Don Valley Park. These aren’t your typical rooftop gargoyles. This is Duane Linklater’s “Monsters for Beauty Permanence and Individuality”.
The Gargoyles Sculpture is a unique art installation. It consists of concrete casts. They are replicas of gargoyles found on various Toronto buildings. Think of it as a ghostly gathering of architectural details. These stony sentinels have been reimagined in a new context. Now they watch over the Don Valley Trail.
The artist Duane Linklater is Omaskeko Cree. He chose to situate these gargoyles in the Don Valley. This is a place where Toronto’s colonial past and its ongoing impact are palpable. The Don River was drastically altered during the city’s industrialization. The hillsides were carved away for their resources. The river itself was straightened twice.
These gargoyles aren’t perched high above. Instead they’re at eye level. You can almost touch them. This invites interaction. Kids can even climb on them. They’re no longer distant symbols of a bygone era. They’ve become accessible playful elements of the landscape. Close-up you can see the details. You can see the texture of scales and claws. You can see the smirk on a creature’s upturned mouth.
The Gargoyles Sculpture isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about prompting reflection. It’s a commentary on colonialism. It’s about the relationship between settlers the land and Indigenous Peoples. By placing these gargoyles in this specific location Linklater forces us to consider Toronto’s history. We are prompted to reconsider our relationship with the environment.
These aren’t just ancient stone beasts. They’re a reminder of the past. They are a challenge for the future. The Gargoyles Sculpture is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of art. It is one that you won’t soon forget. Take a moment. Let these gargoyles stare back at you. Let them whisper their stories. Let them remind you of the ongoing dialogue about our city our land and our shared history.