Robert Delford Newbigging (1934–2012) was a Canadian artist, visual arts teacher, children's author, whose bronze-fashioned works have been showcased in art galleries across Europe and North America.[1] Newbigging is best known for facilitating the project concept, development and creation of Toronto's Alexander Wood statue.[2]
Del Newbigging | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Delford Newbigging September 29, 1934 |
| Died | August 23, 2012 (aged 77) |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, author, arts teacher |
| Notable work | Alexander Wood Statue |
| Board member of | Medallic Art Society of Canada |
| Spouse | John Carolan |
Authorship edit
Popularly known by the nickname Del Newbigging, the Listowel, Ontario native was author and illustrator of Robert Rat Has A Problem, a children's book teaching the significance of agreeing to disagree and the importance of nutrition.[3]
Medallist edit
On July 16, 2000,[4] Newbigging co-founded the Medallic Art Society of Canada (MASC),[5] an organization "dedicated to the creation, promotion, appreciation and education of the fine art of the medal."[6]
Alexander Wood edit
Of his body of works, Newbigging's most notable contribution is his monumental statue of the late Alexander Wood,[7] a merchant and magistrate in the city of York (now Toronto).[8]
Set in the Church-Wellesley neighborhood, the bronze sculpture of Alexander Wood is posted at the Church Street and Alexander Street intersection. It was officially unveiled on Saturday May 28, 2005.[9]
"It’s a symbol for any minority community that has struggled and fought to be accepted for their place and home in our city," said Dennis O’Connor, the former Church-Wellesley BIA chair, at the unveiling ceremony.[8]
Newbigging's statue of Wood came after a two year process of development.[1] The two-and-a-half-metre-tall bronze figure was formed almost entirely from that which Newbigging visualized Wood's physical appearance to be, with his prime reference said to have been a mere a silhouette of Wood.[10][2]
"Del Newbigging’s legacy in Toronto’s gay community is literally set not in stone, but rather in a cast of bronze," Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam told the press. "His meticulous planning and confident execution of Canada’s only monument to a gay pioneer will forever stand proudly over the Church and Wellesley Village. We have Del to thank for this superb contribution to the community."[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "Creator of the iconic statue that defines Gaytown". NOW Magazine. August 29, 2012.
- ^ a b Kirzner, Ellie (August 29, 2012). "Farewell to Del Newbigging (1934 - 2012) Creator of the iconic statue that defines Gaytown". NOW Magazine.
- ^ Newbigging, Robert Delford (2010). Robert Rat has a problem. Bloomington, IN: Author House. ISBN 9781456711733. OCLC 875971148.
- ^ Jaskus, Saulius. "Medallic Art Society of Canada - MASC - The History of MASC". www.medallicart.ca. MASC. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
- ^ "Del NEWBIGGING Obituary". The Toronto Star. August 27, 2012.
- ^ "Medallic Art Society of Canada". Archived from the original on 2017-08-05. Retrieved 2017-08-04.
- ^ ALLEMANG, JOHN (January 24, 2014). "What Toronto's citizens of stone tell us about our history". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ a b Bredin, Simon (June 29, 2016). "Delving into the complicated history of a man who helped found the Church-Wellesley Village". www.torontoist.com.
- ^ PROULX, SHAUN (May 21, 2005). "Tall, bronzed man moves to gay village". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ "Alexander Wood 1772-1844". Toronto's Historical Plaques.
- ^ LaRiviere, Serafin (August 8, 2012). "Sculptor created Canada's only statue to a gay pioneer". Xtra.