Michael Snow, artist who gave Toronto iconic public art, has died

By Jessica Bruno

Michael Snow, the Toronto-born artist who gave this city some of its most iconic public art, has died.

Snow died on Jan. 5, a representative from his gallery confirmed to CityNews. He was 94.

Snow’s “Flight Stop” geese have hung above Eaton Centre shoppers since 1979. His sculpture “The Audience” has greeted countless Blue Jays fans heading into a game at the Rogers Centre.

Artist Michael Snow's sculpture "The Audience"

Artist Michael Snow’s sculpture “The Audience” has greeted countless Blue Jays fans heading into a game at the Rogers Centre.

The Canadian art community has begun sharing tributes to the artist.

“Canadian art has lost one of its leading lions,” writes Sarah Milroy, chief curator of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

“All of us at the McMichael celebrate his myriad accomplishments across the media of painting, sculpture, film, photography and experimental music.”

In a series of tweets, the Toronto International Film Festival also paid tribute to his legacy, calling him “one of the greatest multifaceted artists of our time.”

The Jack Shainman Gallery in New York, which represented Snow since 2004, calls Snow one of the world’s leading experimental filmmakers, adding his film Wavelengths (1967) helped inspire the Structural Film movement.

Born in Toronto in 1928, Snow went to Upper Canada College and the Ontario College of Art and Design, specializing in design. He gained international acclaim starting in the 1960s. His 11-part sculpture, “Woman Walking,” was featured in Ontario’s pavilion at Expo 67. He was also the first Canadian artist to have a solo show at the Venice Bienniale. During his multi-decade career, his art was featured in Paris, New York and beyond. In the 1970s, he was a prestigious Guggenheim Fellow.

He received the Order of Canada in 1982, and became a Companion of the Order a decade later. Snow was active in the arts until his death, releasing a book of his mother’s photographs in 2022.

Snow leaves behind partner Peggy Gale, herself an influential author and curator. Snow’s archives, and collection of record, are at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

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