Christine Leu awarded prestigious arts award

Toronto architect Christine Leu, MRAIC, who teaches at Ryerson, will receive the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (external link, opens in new window)  (RAIC) Allied Arts Medal for 2017.

Leu is the co-founder, with Alan Webb, of the multi-disciplinary arts and curation practice LeuWebb Projects in Toronto where they develop ephemeral art installations for public places. Leu also teaches courses in architecture and interior design at Ryerson University. LeuWebb uses space, light, sound and texture to activate public space, with a focus on social issues and respect for historical context.

The award honours a Canadian artist or designer for outstanding achievement in artwork created to be integrated with architecture. Any medium allied to architecture is eligible including murals, sculpture, glass, fabric, lighting, furniture, water, sound, site-specific installation, video, digital and industrial and landscape design.

“Each one of Christine Leu’s permanent works and temporary installations manifests a thoughtful and thought-provoking approach to its architectural or environmental context,” said the RAIC jury.

“I am very honoured to be bestowed this award, and I appreciate the acknowledgment and kind words of the RAIC jury,” said Leu. “This body of work and its approach to the connection between art and architecture would not be possible without the remarkably creative and supportive relationship with my partner, Alan Webb.” The award will be presented at the RAIC/OAA Festival of Architecture, which takes place in Ottawa May 24 to 27.

LeuWebb Projects recently created a landscape installation at Ontario Place in Toronto, reimagining the utopian architectural forms of the park’s 46-year-old structures, designed by Zeidler Partnership Architects.