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At Eglinton and Don Mills, a 10-metre-tall female grizzly – dubbed ‘Bearbraham Lincoln’ – now keeps watch over the changing neighbourhood – a bronze symbol of leadership, caring and quiet strength.
Artist Dean Drever said, “It’s actually an exact replica of the Lincoln Memorial in size and scale.” “As a kid it always inspired me, just the awe of it. So, to put a bear on that giant chair, especially in front of a park where kids will play, I love it. It fuels the imagination.”
This piece is called Seated Bear and Friends, was created through Toronto’s Percent for Public Art ProgramWhich requires developers to fund art in public spaces. Commissioned by Aspen Ridge Homes, the installation is expected to cost approximately $3 million due to the increased costs of labor and materials. It was created using 3D printing and casting technology, which transformed thousands of foam blocks into bronze before being assembled on site.
“It’s so important to have public art as an aspect of enlivening the public realm, really creating a sense of community, especially in these new development sites where thousands of residents and retailers will soon be arriving,” said Andrea Mantin, project manager for public art at the City of Toronto. “These pieces help to ground a site and create an area’s identity.”
For Drever, the sense of community and the chance to build something lasting is what makes the long hours and heavy lifting worthwhile.
“First and foremost, I feel extremely fortunate to be working on this scale. When you’re really into it, it’s very easy to lose sight of what you’re doing. In fact, you become quite focused on what you’re doing. I finished it about a week ago, and I don’t know if it’s had a full impact on me. I’ve been working on it for so long.”
The statue will be officially unveiled when Big Bear Park opens later this month, welcoming residents and visitors to see the site for the first time.