The City of Brampton will honor former Premier Bill Davis with a memorial artwork at the Peel Art Gallery, set for completion in spring 2025. Designed by Xiaojing Yan and Lilly Otasevic, it reflects Davis’ contributions. Bill Davis Day is proclaimed for July 30, 2024.
“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.”
– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton
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.
Following a two-stage national competition last fall, an art selection committee recommended the selection of artists Xiaojing Yan and Lilly Otasevic to design and install the William G. Davis memorial. Their concept, “Contours of Connection,” was chosen for its profound reflection of Mr. Davis’ impact and contributions to the community. The design is made up 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. At a different angle, the shapes reveal the words ‘educate’ and ‘inspire’, celebrating Mr. Davis’ enormous impact in shaping the Ontario education system.
In addition to the monument, at a City Council meeting today, Brampton 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.
The City encourages everyone to celebrate and reflect on the profound impact Mr. Davis, whose vision and leadership continue to inspire, on Bill Davis Day.
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 this website.
Additional Quotes
“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.”
– Patrick Brown, Mayor, 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.”
– Kelly Stahl, Director, Cultural Services, City of Brampton
Media Contact:
Anitpal (Nitu) Grewal – C: (437) 331-4555, Email: Anitpal.Grewal@Brampton.ca
