Flux by Esmond Lee

Commissioned by Union Station and the City of Toronto.

Flux examines the relationships between everyday moments, spaces, and materials found within Toronto and beyond to reveal a fantastical, yet familiar world. From quiet industrial sites to bustling streetscapes, the qualities of urban, suburban, and rural spaces are blended together to reveal their hidden connectedness. Cultures and norms conventionally understood as fixed to specific locations are untethered to form new, imaginative landscapes free from the boundaries of time and space. The photo-collages of various shapes and sizes invite viewers to experience both the many details and the whole together, without using any particular framing or perspectives. Viewers are encouraged to experience these artworks from any spot and viewing angle: roam slowly to see the various parts, pause to examine particular details, or stand back to see the work in its entirety. Places conventionally understood as fragments can now be understood through their commonalities, negotiations, and entanglements, asking: how do seemingly far-reaching places operate together on a continuum of complex, interwoven landscapes? Flux challenges the very tensions and conflicts produced by political and economic boundaries that divide our landscape – and its people – into abstract, disparate spaces. Whether for leisure, opportunity, or by force: the bodily movement and gesture of people shapes and creates space, just as space shapes and informs the movement of people in a reciprocal, dynamic relationship under continuous flux.

About the Artist

Esmond Lee is an artist, researcher, and architect based in Scarborough, Toronto. He holds a Master of Architecture and currently pursuing a Doctorate in Critical Human Geography. Drawing from professional, academic, and personal backgrounds, Lee examines migration, settlement, identity, belonging, and nuanced cultural and political borders in the built environment. His recent public artworks include installations for Nuit Blanche Toronto (2019, 2022) and CONTACT Photography Festival, nominated for the 2022 Heritage Toronto Award in Public History. Lee is currently creating two photobooks about Scarborough: Below the City, recognized by an honourable mention in the 2020 Burtynsky Grant, and a community co-creation as the Toronto Public Library Artist-in-Residence at Woodside Square.

About Unionnale

Unionnale was designed as a special art “alley” that captures colour and artworks inspired by all the neighbourhoods of Toronto. The space presents visual storytelling and artistry through a fun and creative artistic installation in the heart of the station.  As part of Union’s continuing contemporary programming and ArtworxTO’s public art initiative, the art selection in Unionnale will rotate every two years, with artists chosen through a juried selection process.

Union is committed to reflecting the diversity of Canadians in all our programs and operations. Our programming vision encourages and celebrates creativity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. Our goal is to strengthen the connection between public art and civic engagement ultimately striving to create connectedness amongst our communities.