Tuesday Treaures

Pictorial Tuesday   Tom hosts Tuesday's Treasures.

August 2017 - Baden ON

The plan is to have 22 sculptures representing all the prime ministers. They are to be life size and depicted as they physically appeared at the time of their term of office.

Currently there are three.

We first saw John A Macdonald's sculpture by Ruth Abernethy back in May when we visited Castle Kilbride in Baden.

Sir John Alexander Macdonald, first prime minister of Canada (1867–73, 1878–91), lawyer, businessman, politician, (born 10 or 11 Jan 1815 in Glasgow, Scotland; died 6 June 1891 in Ottawa). John Alexander Macdonald was the dominant creative mind which produced the British North America Act and the union of provinces which became Canada. As the first prime minister of Canada, he oversaw the expansion of the Dominion from sea to sea. His government dominated politics for a half century and set policy goals for future generations of political leaders.

The back of the chair outlines his background.

All of the sculptures have Easter eggs (an Easter egg is an intentional inside joke, a hidden message, or a secret feature of an interactive work (often, a computer program, video game or DVD menu screen). The name is used to evoke the idea of a traditional Easter egg hunt) such as facts, symbols and figures placed in subtle ways, that reveal more about the prime minister's life and work.

Sculptor Ruth Abernethy included over 30 "Easter eggs" in the statue - symbols that represent key moments in Sir John A. Macdonald's personal and political life.

Two more prime ministers were added in July for the 150th anniversary.

This is William Lyon Mackenzie King by Newfoundland's Morgan Macdonald, will show Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King at the Quebec Conference in the Second World War.



William Lyon Mackenzie King, prime minister of Canada 1921–26, 1926–30 and 1935–48 (born 17 December 1874 in Berlin [Kitchener], ON; died 22 July 1950 in Kingsmere, QC [near Ottawa, ON]). Leader of the Liberal Party 1919-48, and prime minister for almost 22 of those years, King was the dominant political figure in an era of major changes. As Canada’s longest-serving prime minister, King steered Canada through industrialization, much of the Great Depression, and the Second World War. By the time he left office, Canada had achieved greater independence from Britain and a stronger international voice, and had implemented policies such as unemployment insurance in response to industrialization, economic distress, and changing social realities.
He was the grandson of William Lyon Mackenzie whose home in Toronto is now a museum.


Here he is chatting with John.


King’s political achievements have often been overshadowed by the revelation that this apparently proper and colourless man was a spiritualist, who frequently sought contact with his mother and other dead relatives and friends.

While many have ridiculed his regular seances and his discussions with his beloved Irish terriers (Pat I, II, and III), his personal idiosyncrasies should not overshadow his political achievements.

The third addition is Lester B. Pearson.



Lester Bowles "Mike" Pearson, prime minister 1963–68, statesman, politician, public servant, professor (born 23 April 1897 in Newtonbrook, ON; died 27 December 1972 in Ottawa, ON). Pearson was Canada's foremost diplomat of the 1950s and 1960s, and formulated its basic post-WWII foreign policy. A skilled politician, he rebuilt the Liberal Party and as prime minister strove to maintain Canada's national unity. Under his leadership, the government implemented a Canada Pension Plan, a universal medicare system, a unified armed force, and a new flag. In 1957, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his diplomatic efforts in facilitating Britain and France’s departure from Egypt during the Suez Crisis.

Also sculpted by Ruth Abernethy - Big Shoes
Pearson has just stepped out of his big shoes and sits, watching to see who will fill them. Clues for the Pearson legacy are etched in black granite.