1984What military memorial is considered one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian art?
Per Ardua ad Astra, also known as the Canadian Airman's Memorial, stands along University Avenue in Toronto as one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian public art. Created by renowned sculptor Oscar Nemon and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on September 29, 1984, the striking modernist monument honors Royal Canadian Air Force members, including the seven airmen awarded the Victoria Cross in the World Wars. Almost immediately after its installation, the memorial became a lightning rod for criticism, both for its abstract design and because it was placed on a plinth against the artist’s wishes. Notably, after vandals spray-painted it with the phrase "Gumby goes to Heaven," the nickname stuck, cementing its unique—and divisive—place in Canadian art history.
