Sandra Brewster: A Place To Put Your Things

A swing set with a seat in the form of two figures donning afros in an embrace, the piece invites participants to “a place to rest and be at peace, to unburden oneself, and simply sway at one’s own pace and rhythm,” according to Brewster. A Place to Put Your Things is a continuation of Brewster’s Smith series (2004–ongoing), which refers to the common surname and points to the absurdity of assumptions that rely on stereotypes and systems of classification, including those endured by members of the Black community. A part of ArtworxTO: Toronto’s Year of Public Art 2021–2022, the swing set, which celebrates the public expression of Black love, will be on display until September 30, 2022.

Sandra Brewster is a Canadian artist based in Toronto. She has recently shown her work in solo exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (2019); Or Gallery, Vancouver (2019); and Never Apart Gallery, Montreal (2017). Brewster holds an MA in Visual Studies from the University of Toronto, and a BFA from York University, Toronto.