Balancing

Five brightly coloured whimsical wooden figures balancing on a Y-shaped beam.
Balancing

Balancing has been temporarily removed from the Rideau Canal Esplanade in downtown Ottawa to undergo maintenance.

This original creation is one of the more popular and well-known sculptures in Canada’s Capital. A lively work of art, Balancing consists of a collection of five brightly coloured whimsical wooden figures balancing on a Y-shaped beam. Made from laminated mahogany from the Philippines, it represents a cross-section of Capital residents ─ including a bemused bureaucrat.

Balancing was created by the late New Brunswick artist John Hooper and first installed in 1981. This important artwork underwent major restoration work from 2008 to 2012.

Balancing

Discover the story behind Balancing in this Decoding ART video.

Transcript | Watch on Youtube

Balancing (youth version)

Discover the story behind Balancing in this Decoding ART video.

Transcript | Watch on Youtube

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