Five and a half meters long. Four meters tall. That’s the Couch Monster. Right here before you.
The Couch Monster Sadzë yaaghehch’ill is more than just a sculpture. It’s the Art Gallery of Ontario’s first public art commission. A monumental bronze elephant. Brian Jungen the acclaimed artist created it. He repurposed old leather couches. He transformed discarded furniture into a powerful statement.
Jungen found inspiration in Jumbo a circus elephant. Jumbo tragically died after being hit by a train in St Thomas Ontario in 1885. The Couch Monster isn’t just about Jumbo though. It’s a tribute to all creatures in captivity. Their suffering and broken spirits. The Dane-zaa subtitle Sadzë yaaghehch’ill means my heart is ripping. It speaks to the emotional weight of captivity.
The creation process was amazing. Jungen first made a full-size prototype in his studio. It was then transported to Washington state. There it was cast in bronze at the Walla Walla Foundry. The finished sculpture arrived in Toronto in June 2022. Before its installation Dr Duke Redbird blessed it. He’s an Elder of the Saugeen First Nation.
The bronze will age like leather. Its patina will change over time. It’s meant to be interacted with. To be embraced. Jungen wants people to lounge on it. To explore it. He’s thrilled for the Couch Monster to live here for years to come. This isn’t just art. It’s a conversation. A powerful statement. It’s a piece of Toronto’s history. And yours to discover.