Beneath this Toronto sky stands the Loring Statue. It is not just a statue. It’s a testament to a remarkable artistic legacy.
The Loring Statue represents Frances Norma Loring. She was one of Canada’s most influential sculptors. Loring made significant contributions to Canadian modern art.
Loring met Florence Wyle at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1905. They became lifelong partners. They were domestic and creative collaborators for 55 years. They died three weeks apart in 1968. People fondly nicknamed them “The Girls”. This nickname acknowledged their partnership. It defied heteronormative values.
In 1913, Loring and Wyle moved to Toronto. They arrived when sculpture was budding. They made waves as women sculptors in Canada. Loring and Wyle became inextricably linked. This linked them to each other and Canadian sculpture history. They created commissions for monuments. They were active promoters of the craft.
In 1928, they established the Sculptors’ Society of Canada. They worked with Emanuel Hahn, Elizabeth Wyn Wood and Henri Hébert. The head office was in their studio. It was a converted Sunday school building known as “The Church.”
Loring’s work often demonstrated an interest in classical forms. She admired Greek sculpture. She also admired human anatomy. Her work responded to Modernism. She stylized and simplified figures. She smoothed out features. She expressed essence through elegant lines.
Loring’s legacy continues in the Loring-Wyle Parkette. It is on St. Clair Avenue East in Toronto. It is beside their old studio, “The Church”. The parkette features portrait busts of each artist. They made these busts of each other.
Loring was commissioned to create a lion. It would sit at the base of a column on the QEW. Wyle was chosen to carve the King and Queen in relief. Loring’s lion became a landmark. People praised her artistic mastery. They called it one of the finest pieces of outdoor sculpture in Canada.
Loring and Wyle brought bohemian life to Toronto. They settled in a converted church in Moore Park. The Church became home and an art salon. They befriended important artists and intellectuals. Their Saturday night parties became legendary.
Loring and Wyle co-founded artistic organizations. These included the Sculptors Society of Canada. They pushed for policies. These policies led to the Canada Council for the Arts. Loring dedicated her time to public causes and education. She was a familiar face at meetings and art openings.
The Loring Statue serves as a reminder. It reminds us of the talent of Frances Loring. It also reminds us of her partnership with Florence Wyle. Their impact on Canadian art is undeniable. It’s a story of creativity and dedication. The Loring Statue is a symbol of their enduring legacy.