installation by Luisa Milan, photo by Baye Hunter

HISTORY

ROGUE WAVE was founded by four Toronto Island residents in the spring of 1998: Brad Harley, Michael Davey, Julie Stone and Glenn McArthur. Prior to this, ‘rogue’ art installations had appeared randomly on the Island, only to be removed by Parks Department staff. The Toronto Islands are home to a large and passionate group of visual artists, many of whom wanted to install works outdoors on the Island. The ROGUE WAVE organization was formed to create a more official exhibition of sculpture and installation art on the Toronto Islands, in partnership with Parks, Recreation and Forestry staff. 

There's a lot to celebrate with ROGUE WAVE but one of the most important is the cooperative relationship established with Parks, Recreation and Forestry. Park Supervisor, Warren Hoselton, and his staff take an active and supportive role in the realization of the project and ongoing safety and maintenance issues. In 2007 Warren participated in the exhibition with his Tour de Trees installation and it was Warren Hoselton's love of the Toronto Islands that led to resurgence of ROGUE WAVE in 2018. Late in 2017, Warren Hoselton gathered together the individuals who now form the current ROGUE WAVE Collective, which is organizing this years exhibition.

ROGUE WAVE exhibitions have included an enormous range of works in a diverse array of different media. Everything from yarn and lace to natural elements such as rock and driftwood have been used to make thought provoking visual statements. In addition, the exhibition has often featured musical events, such as Rogue Raveand specially commissioned musical pieces by artists such as Anne Bourne and Jacquey Malcolm. ROGUE WAVE has involved local Island artists and activists but it also attracts participating artists from across Toronto and some from beyond the borders of the GTA. 

Local community support has always been the foundation of ROGUE WAVE. In addition to participating artists, Toronto Island residents helped with website creation and maintenance, poster designs, map illustration, photography and more. Even the local young people helped to keep an eye on the safety of the art pieces!

There has been a total of 7 ROGUE WAVE exhibitions over the years and now ROGUE WAVE 2018 is bringing the eighth version to life. ROGUE WAVE has inspired the creation of a number of other arts-based projects on the Island, both in the visual and performing arts, and has led to additional artistic opportunities for participating artists.  

ROGUE WAVE 2018 opens September 8 and runs for several weeks until Oct 27, connecting with other art venues such as Nuit Blanche and ART Toronto. The exhibition is open to the public seven days a week and typically attracts over 2,500 visitors. All pieces are dismantled at the end of the exhibition. We hope to see you there!