CAMPFIRE PUBLIC ART SCULPTURE

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Campfire is an Indigenous-led permanent public art sculpture in Humber Bay Shores in Toronto. The 12-foot-tall piece was created by renowned Canadian sculptor Michael Belmore, of Anishinaabe descent, in collaboration with Herman Mejia, an artist and designer originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and now based in Toronto. The Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, whose historical ties to the land are honoured through this installation, played an important advisory role in the project. Campfire reflects the spirit of Indigenous placekeeping, inviting the community to gather around its symbolic hearth.

Campfire is inspired by the symbolism of a campfire at the water’s edge, it evokes warmth, comfort and reflection—a timeless beacon that connects us to journeys past and present. Positioned at the mouth of the Humber River, Campfire invites visitors to pause and gather, embodying the spirit of travel, rest and community in a place where stories are shared, and memories take shape. Campfire was commissioned as part of the Humber Bay Park Master Plan and funded by the City of Toronto and selected through a two-stage, international public art competition process.

Eventscape was honoured to collaborate with co-creators Michael Belmore and Herman Mejia on this artwork and fabricate Campfire from Corten and Stainless-steel utilizing old world craft with digital fabrication methodologies.

“A campfire at the water’s edge is an event and a signal, a celebration that provides warmth and comfort, extending the setting sun and pushing back the cool night air. Campfire embodies the essence of journey and travel, serving as a beacon for contemplation. The spirit of this artwork helps one find their place in time and space.

This iconic waterfront landmark and gathering place fosters community engagement and participation that unite and raise awareness of our heritage, highlighting the power of the present to embrace the significance of the future.

With gratitude, we honour and acknowledge the Indigenous peoples who have cherished and protected this land for generations. Their wisdom and spirit continue to resonate within Humber Bay.”

Michael Belmore & Herman Mejia

UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS

Campfire takes its form from the geometry of a flame—a universal symbol of warmth, gathering, and storytelling. Standing over 12 feet high and 7.5 feet wide, the flame is a striking presence within Humber Bay Shores. Crafted from a combination of Stainless-steel at its core and Corten steel cladding, the sculpture embodies both permanence and transformation. The choice of materials reflects a deep understanding of the piece’s desired longevity and low-maintenance nature. Corten steel, in particular, will naturally age into a beautiful patina, embracing time and creating a living surface that evolves with the environment.

The flame’s organic, curvilinear shape flows gracefully, offering a modern interpretation of traditional fire geometry. This design honors the idea that, much like a real flame, each iteration of Campfire is unique, providing a dynamic and changing visual experience. The flame’s form also adapts to modern digital fabrication technologies, incorporating faceted panels that enhance its contemporary appeal.

One of the most striking features of Campfire is its ability to integrate with the landscape and architecture of Toronto. The sculpture is oriented to celebrate the skyline of downtown Toronto, with a hollow picture frame at its center. This “frame” captures the city’s iconic skyline, connecting the natural environment with the urban backdrop. As a whole, the piece reflects a fusion of organic form and modern design, creating a dialogue between the natural world and the constructed city.

The creation of Campfire required a careful selection of materials that would not only enhance its aesthetic appeal but also ensure its durability and ease of maintenance. The structure is anchored with an engineered concrete footing, providing stability and longevity, while the core of the flame is made from stainless-steel, chosen for its strength and resistance to corrosion. The cladding of the sculpture is made from Corten steel, a material that will naturally develop a rich patina over time, embracing the passage of time and creating a more organic relationship with the landscape. This attention to materiality is essential to the sculpture’s success; it ensures that the piece will age gracefully, developing a character that will only grow more beautiful as the years go on.

The base of the sculpture is surrounded by a “fire ring” created from pebbles and rocks, grounding the flame in its environment. The 13 concrete pavers radiating from the ring are symbolic of the 13 grandmother moons of Indigenous culture, each representing a cycle of change, fertility, and transformation. This subtle reference to Indigenous traditions ties the sculpture to the land’s history, reflecting the importance of cyclical time and honoring the spiritual connection between people and place. The beautiful carved rock is a 1.5 ton piece of granite that was created, carved and polished by Michael Belmore to symbolize the sea.

Campfire comes to life at night through the gentle glow of LED uplights. The flame is illuminated in a way that creates a soft, welcoming ambiance, encouraging interaction and reflection. The uplights are programmed to integrate with the city’s broader lighting schedule, ensuring that the sculpture’s illumination is synchronized with other public art installations in the area. The lighting design is intentionally subtle, providing a gentle, warm atmosphere rather than harsh illumination. This approach enhances the sculpture’s ability to foster a sense of comfort and community, much like the soft glow of a real campfire. At night, the piece becomes a beacon, inviting visitors to gather around, share stories, and reflect on the shared experiences that the campfire symbolizes.

Campfire is more than just a work of art—it is a legacy project, built through collaboration between two artists with different cultural backgrounds but a shared vision. Herman Mejia, an immigrant artist, and Michael Belmore, a sculptor of Anishinaabe descent, brought their unique perspectives together to create a piece that transcends individual stories. Through their partnership, Campfire embodies the universal themes of unity, togetherness, and the power of shared spaces. This co-creation is a powerful symbol of the potential for collaboration and the strength that comes from embracing diverse voices. As a public art piece, Campfire speaks to the collective spirit of Toronto, celebrating its multicultural fabric and honoring its Indigenous history. It is a reminder that public art, when thoughtfully executed, can be a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and community-building.

Campfire is a powerful addition to the landscape of Humber Bay Shores. Its design, inspired by the shape of a flame and crafted with care and precision by Eventscape, serves as both a reflection of the city’s architectural landscape and a tribute to its Indigenous roots. By choosing materials that will age with grace and integrating thoughtful lighting and symbolic elements, Campfire creates a lasting connection to the land, the community, and the diverse cultures that make up Toronto’s identity. As visitors gather around Campfire, they are invited to reflect on the stories of the land and its people, past and present. Whether experienced by day or illuminated at night, Campfire stands as a testament to the power of art to unify, inspire, and transform public spaces into meaningful places of connection.