Evoking an ideal central to Canadian identity, Soapbox was installed as part of Art in Unexpected Places, a temporary exhibition of public art hosted for Canada 150. It was acquired by the Barrie Public Art Committee in 2020 as a legacy piece for future generations to enjoy.
Ripe for public engagement, this installation celebrates freedom of speech and encourages viewers to exercise it. Painted in the blue and green pastel tones that Minden-based artists Chris Hanson & Hendrika Sonnenberg are known for, this piece makes a bright addition to City Hall’s Circle at the Centre.
Hanson and Sonnenberg are an artist duo whose work draws upon the practical use of everyday objects and brings a sense of whimsy to the ordinary. Both graduates of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, they reside in Minden, Ontario, and exhibit internationally.
