Stephen Cruise

willow BOX

Design Concept for willow BOX

Evolved from the embrace of my town’s name: W i l l o w d a l e, an identity not as widely known or acknowledged today as in days past due to the merging of communities and area boundaries.

The Gibson House site provides the opportunity to explore histories present and bring the work home by addressing the perimeters of the Oh Dear project.

Not only Ontario’s first land surveyor but also an early farmer and member of parliament, David Gibson opened the first district post office just north of the present day museum and gave it the name of ‘Willow Dale’  (after the abundance of willow trees in the area).  This soon identified the town that emerged as well as give designation to the surrounding area.

Design Concept for willow BOX

The translated work is a homage to this early community and addresses the strong residing impact of place, neighbourhood and citizenry that engage our present day-to-day.

… a box is delivered as a device to evoke a sentiment, drawing upon narratives within a current diverse resident.

… letters\notes received offer exchange of residing histories with layerings of present-day thoughts and needs.

Image Concept for willow BOX

Stephen Cruise's willow BOX will be on the grounds of the Gibson House Museum and a second box location for mailing postcards is located at the North York Central Library from July 2 - August 26, 2013.

Gibson House Museum
5172 Yonge Street, Toronto

North York Central Library
5152 Yonge Street

Thanks to Gibson House Museum and the North York Central Library for hosting and supporting this installation.


ABOUT STEPHEN CRUISE

Stephen Cruise lives and works in Willowdale. Selected public art commissions: gathering of a same time 2011, Downsview; Familia 2011, Port Credit; indigena domain 2008, City Hall, Cambridge, ON; a Path a Muse taken 2004, Trudeau Memorial Garden, Toronto (as yet to be realized); Vessel 2002, Manulife Rec. Centre, Waterloo, ON; after/before 2002, Don Mills Station, Sheppard Subway, Toronto; Places in a book (6 chapters) 1997, Spadina LRT, Pole Colonnade, Toronto (Sussex to Wilcocks St.), and the locally popular public art work One hundred links – one chain located next to the Gibson House Museum. Stephen will install a work that further explores his personal definition of edge city  - from an abiding remembrance in a once rural Thornhill to his 80’s move ‘North of the 401’ to Willowdale.