In celebration of the Honourable William “Bill” Grenville Davis, former Premier of Ontario and Brampton champion, the City of Brampton has commissioned a memorial artwork dedicated to his legacy. The monument will be situated at the Peel Art Gallery, Museum, and Archives (PAMA), near Brampton City Hall, and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2025.
The monument, designed by artists Xiaojing Yan and Lilly Otasevic, was chosen following a two-stage national competition last fall. Their concept, “Contours of Connection,” was selected for its profound reflection of Mr. Davis’ impact and contributions to the community. The design consists of abstract shapes that reveal a silhouette portrait of Bill Davis at a certain angle, offering a glimpse into the person behind Ontario’s fundamental transformation during his tenure. From another angle, the shapes reveal the words ‘educate’ and ‘inspire’, celebrating Mr. Davis’ enormous impact in shaping Ontario’s education system.
At a City Council meeting today, Brampton also proclaimed July 30, 2024, as Bill Davis Day. This annual observance offers an opportunity for the community to remember and celebrate the significant contributions of Bill Davis to Brampton, Peel Region, and the province of Ontario.
“Premier Bill Davis was not only a remarkable leader but also a mentor and a long-time friend to me. His vision and leadership have profoundly shaped Brampton, Peel, and Ontario. This memorial will stand as a lasting tribute to his legacy and dedication to public service. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Davis family for their support and for allowing us to honour Mr. Davis’ memory in this meaningful way,” said Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton.
“Bill Davis’ legacy is a cornerstone of our community’s history and progress. This monument will celebrate his extraordinary contributions and will also serve as a symbol of his enduring impact on Brampton and beyond. We are thrilled to watch it come to life with the incredible concept by Xiaojing Yan and Lilly Otasevic. It is with great pride that we commemorate his achievements and remember a leader who shaped our city’s future,” added Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton.
“Through public art, we can tell the stories of our community in powerful and lasting ways. The monument honouring Mr. Davis, created by Xiaojing Yan and Lilly Otasevic, is a profound expression of his enduring influence on Brampton. It stands as a narrative piece that not only commemorates his legacy but also engages the public in our shared history and cultural identity,” noted Kelly Stahl, Director of Cultural Services, City of Brampton.
The City encourages everyone to celebrate and reflect on the profound impact of Mr. Davis, whose vision and leadership continue to inspire, on Bill Davis Day. To learn more about this remarkable Bramptonian, visit the City of Brampton’s website.
Meet the Artists and Explore the William G. Davis Memorial Artwork Concept
Xiaojing Yan and Lilly Otasevic are multidisciplinary artists with more than 30 years of collective experience in public art creation. Having completed projects across the province, country, and world, including in the City of Burlington, Royal Ontario Museum, and Elora Centre for the Arts, they bring expertise in design and fabrication. To learn more about the artists and to view the memorial’s concept and renderings, visit the City of Brampton’s website.