Conference at the Council House

Conference at the Council House by Hadley Howes and Maxwell Stephens (Studio of Received Ideas) is one of over 35 public artworks on display across the City of Mississauga.

Hadley Howes and Maxwell Stephens (Studio of Received Ideas), 2017
Bronze, aluminum
Entrance to Central Library and Mississauga Celebration Square

About the artwork

Thirty birds gather on and around a white steel tower and cupola that is an artistic replica of the tower that tops the historic Council House built 132 years ago on the New Credit reserve in Hagersville – the land the Mississauga people moved to in 1847 from their ancestral home on the Credit River in what is now known as the City of Mississauga.

Perched on and around the tower sit thirty birds, cast in bronze and painted in vivid colours. The birds are portraits of avian citizens in the region, both local and migratory – interpretations of drawings done by local residents and members of the New Credit First Nation community, of actual birds seen in backyards, parks and walkways within the community.

Spreading the invitation to the diverse local community to give special attention to the wildlife that share the living space of the city is a method of passing on Indigenous concepts of philosophy, respect and living in balance with all of creation.

Gallery

More information

Learn more at www.hadleyhowes.ca/conference