Balancing
Balancing greets visitors to the Rideau Canal Esplanade in downtown Ottawa. The sculpture is next to the historic Rideau Canal and directly across from the Ottawa Convention Centre.
Previously located beside the National Arts Centre, 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 5 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. Check out the restoration process in our Flickr gallery.
Listen to audio clips about Balancing for adults or children.
Balancing - Adult Audio Clip
Balancing - Kid Audio Clip
