The AGO unveils "Moments Contained," a 9-foot bronze sculpture by Thomas J Price, spotlighting Black identity, shared humanity, and Toronto’s cultural evolution.
The streets of downtown Toronto now host a powerful new figure—one that doesn’t stand on a pedestal, but on equal footing with the people passing by. On July 30, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) unveiled its newest public sculpture, Moments Contained, a nine-foot bronze creation by acclaimed British artist Thomas J Price. Located at the gallery’s main entrance at Dundas Street West and McCaul Street, the sculpture depicts a poised Black woman in casual dress, standing tall with quiet strength, her hands tucked into her pockets and her gaze facing north.
This installation marks a significant cultural moment for the city and for the AGO. Not only is Moments Contained a visually arresting work of art, but it also challenges traditional notions of who is represented in public spaces and why. With this latest acquisition, Toronto joins a global conversation on the meaning of monuments, as well as who gets to be commemorated.
More than bronze: A figure rooted in humanity
Unlike statues that often memorialize historical figures or influential individuals, Price’s sculptures focus on ordinary people. The woman in Moments Contained is a fictional character, an intentional composite of multiple inspirations drawn from real life and art history. She’s grounded in realism, but carries symbolic weight. Her relaxed stance contrasts with her clenched fists hidden in her pockets, hinting at deeper internal tension and quiet resistance.
Price’s intention is clear. “I want people to recognize themselves and feel valued,” he explains. His work invites viewers to connect emotionally and to question the narratives typically reinforced by public statues. In doing so, Price replaces glorification with empathy and distance with relatability.
A milestone for the AGO’s Global Africa and Diaspora department
Moments Contained is the first public artwork acquired by the AGO’s Department of Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora. Spearheaded by curator Julie Crooks, this acquisition was made possible by a coalition of donors, many of whom are from Toronto’s Black and Caribbean communities. The piece is both a celebration of representation and a community-led act of cultural investment.
Julie Crooks, who previously brought Price’s work Within the Folds (Dialogue 1) to Toronto as part of ArtworxTO in 2021, described the acquisition as “a monumental gesture” and an affirmation of community power and generosity. “With his monumental gestures, Price creates space for discussion and for beauty,” said Crooks.
The sculpture’s arrival was commemorated with a public celebration that included remarks from the artist and community donors, along with performances by blues powerhouse Shakura S’Aida and a gospel chorale led by Kiara Picart. On the same evening, Price joined Crooks in a public conversation at the AGO’s Baillie Court.
Thomas J Price: Sculpting new narratives
Born in London in 1981, Thomas J Price has become one of the most influential contemporary sculptors in Europe and abroad. His work has been showcased at The Power Plant in Toronto, the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and Kunsthal Rotterdam. He is also behind the UK’s first permanent public sculpture honouring the Windrush generation, unveiled in Hackney in 2022.
Price’s pieces often blend classical sculptural forms with contemporary figures, presenting people who are often excluded from traditional monuments. Earlier this year, he held exhibitions across Florence, and from April to June, he presented Grounded in the Stars in Times Square, New York. This September, he will unveil a major commission in Sydney, Australia.
Why Moments Contained matters
The installation of Moments Contained at such a high-traffic and culturally significant location sends a powerful message. It reaffirms Toronto's role in reshaping the public art landscape and advancing more inclusive cultural narratives. More than just an artwork, the sculpture acts as a community mirror, drawing in those who might not typically see themselves reflected in such spaces.
This effort also reflects a broader shift at the AGO to elevate the voices and experiences of Black artists. The institution’s free admission for Ontarians under 25, along with the Canada Strong Pass initiative that supports summer visits for young out-of-province guests, signals a commitment to accessibility and youth engagement.
Final thoughts
With the unveiling of Moments Contained, the AGO and the City of Toronto take a bold step forward in making public space more inclusive, reflective, and resonant. Thomas J Price’s bronze figure doesn't demand reverence through grandeur or historic title—it invites reflection, connection, and dialogue through subtlety and strength. In a world grappling with questions about whose stories are told, Price offers an answer not through spectacle but through presence.
This sculpture doesn’t merely stand; it belongs. It holds space in the heart of Toronto’s art district for those who’ve been left out of the frame for far too long as both a work of art and a community milestone, Moments Contained is poised to become one of the most significant public artworks in the city’s contemporary history—a marker not of conquest or command, but of calm, complex visibility.
For more information about Moments Contained, visit: ago.ca/exhibitions/moments-contained
