“Site-responsive suspended installation engaging the atrium's architectural character, natural light, and the civic and cultural histories of Oshawa and the Durham region”
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is excited to announce a Call for Proposals for a new installation commission to be suspended in the atrium, located in the lobby of the gallery.
For this inaugural program, the RMG invites artists, designers and collectives to propose a new, site-responsive artwork that will be suspended in the atrium for two years, from February 2027 to February 2029. The commission is intended to bring contemporary art into the heart of the gallery, animating the space and creating a dynamic and welcoming first encounter for visitors.
The RMG is particularly interested in proposals that respond to the specific conditions of the site, including the architectural character of the atrium, the gallery's civic and cultural role in downtown Oshawa, the gallery's history, and the histories and landscapes that shape the Durham region. The selected work should reflect a contemporary art approach, prioritizing conceptual rigor, material experimentation, and strong visual impact, while remaining accessible and engaging for a wide public audience.
Proposals should respond to the following goals and parameters of the commission:
Contemporary Artistic Vision: Proposals must demonstrate a strong contemporary art approach, grounded in conceptual clarity, material inquiry, and a distinct artistic voice. The RMG is interested in ambitious works that challenge conventional expectations of public-facing installation, and that can hold both visual presence and intellectual depth within a civic setting.
Site-Responsiveness and Local Conditions: Artists are encouraged to respond to the specific conditions of the RMG and its surrounding context, including the architecture of the lobby, the gallery's location in downtown Oshawa, and the layered histories of the region.
Material Experimentation and Environmental Responsibility: The RMG welcomes proposals that demonstrate thoughtful experimentation with materials, process, and form. Works may incorporate unconventional approaches, provided the work remains structurally feasible, durable, and professionally executed.
Light, Space, and Atmosphere: The atrium's height and natural light are defining features of the site. Proposals should engage the spatial and atmospheric qualities of the atrium—such as shadow, reflection, transparency, illumination, or seasonal variation.
The successful applicant will be contacted by mid-May to sign contracts and conduct site visits as needed. The artist's production will begin independently in June and culminate in December of 2026. Regular studio visits (which can be virtual) will be conducted between the artist and The RMG to ensure deadlines are met. The artwork will be installed onsite by the RMG staff from January 25 to 29, 2027. The successful applicant must be available to coordinate logistics throughout the installation and production period, though is not required to be onsite throughout.