Artist: Edward Falkenberg
As the continuous flow of buses fills the bus loop at Durham College’s (DC) and UOIT campus, it’s hard to miss the shiny steel circle, which greets students each day. Because the sculpture is at the hub of the campus, it’s of little wonder that the structure has become a symbol of DC and UOIT. Commonly known as the ‘Big O,’ the sculpture has become a landmark for several generations of students, but the artist of the piece, Edward Falkenberg, knows it by another name: Connect.
Read MoreArtist: Zheng, Yi Bo
Possibly one of Durham College (DC) and University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) most intimate pieces, the bronze bust of Dr. Gary Polonsky, located in the Campus Library study hall is filled with unspoken history. Sculpted by Zheng, Yi Bo in 2008, the bust was donated to the campus by Shu, Xin, chairman, Canadian Chinese General Chamber of Industry and Commerce in 2011.
Read MoreArtist: André Fournelle
Towering over the path of the walkway on the back entrance of University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) building at the north Oshawa location, the ‘gate’ is hard to miss. Designed by Quebec artist André Fournelle, the piece called Gate to the Future serves as a focal point for the campus and the ‘harmonious relationship between art and technology, form and function’, according to the university.
Read MoreArtist: Douglas Bentham
Nestled in the corner between Durham College (DC) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) at the north Oshawa campus, Garland sits in silent beauty with a spiraling motion that gives the appearance of upward movement. For Saskatchewan-based artist, Douglas Bentham, this was the intention and to him, Garland represents and embraces movement within the context of time and space. “In abstract terms, I attempt to coalesce this movement into a singular gesture,” says Bentham. “Here it is manifested through a series of cursive planes and lines that are ground gathering, then visually lifting upward toward an uncertain destination.”
Read MoreArtist: Sam Ferrara
Flying high in the ceiling of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) Business & IT building lobby (through the connection between Durham College and UOIT) is a subtle three-tiered mobile. What this sculpture lacks in boldness, it certainly makes up for in beauty. Toronto-based artist and musician, Sam Ferrara based the design around the theme of a butterfly, symbolizing that if a student wants to achieve something, they can because everything beyond is considered within reach.
Read MoreArtist: Darlene Bolahood
Just outside the Durham College’s South Wing entrance of the Gordon Willey building sits the ‘Compass’. It is a massive sculpture of four large towers next to the building with colourful panels resembling that of falling leaves in autumn. That’s at least one of the visions that former faculty member Darlene Bolahood had when she first came up with the inspiration for her artwork.
Read MoreArtist: Durham College (DC) Aboriginal Student Centre
The Medicine Wheel is an iconic part of Aboriginal history, which holds varying spiritual meanings for different people. In 2014, Durham College’s (DC) Aboriginal Student Centre unveiled its own Medicine Wheel rock garden, settled on the north-west edge of the bus loop island.
Read MoreArtist: Charles Pachter
The giant moose greeting students as they walk into the Durham College and University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s Computer Commons, located in the Gordon Willey Building has become a recognizable symbol within the institutions. It has become a piece of campus culture and a point of direction for new students. For Toronto-based artist Charles Pachter, the Computer Commons’ moose – along with the moose as an animal has been a lifelong inspiration and has been integral to Pachter’s success as an artist.
Read MoreArtist: Ronald Peters
The Portal, one of the more interactive pieces on campus, sits just south of the South Village Residence next to the hiking trail. Reminiscent of Ancient Greece, the piece features two main components: a three-columned ‘portal’ and a bench, which sits just behind it. The structure was constructed using stone and steel by artist Ronald Peters and received an honourable mention in the 19th Annual Uxbridge Juried Art Show in 2015.
Artist: Geordie Lishman
True Power is a sculpture located in UOIT’s Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre in the main lobby. It was unveiled on November 28, 2011 and was created by Ajax resident and artist Geordie Lishman. True Power represents the waves of energy and the power of man by the crafted wire along the horse. True Power was a source of art to display the harnessing of energy and what better way to display such a remarkable piece than locating it inside a building that’s sole purpose is to find renewable energy sources.
Read MoreArtist: Unknown
This sculpture is located in the South-east corner of the UOIT Polonsky commons.
Artist: Unknown