A tribute to a London media baron now stands proudly beside the Forks of the Thames.
In a dedication ceremony held Wednesday at Mitch Baran Park, the city officially took ownership of The Sentinel, an aluminum sculpture created in memory of Walter J. Blackburn.
"This is an incredible day for London," says Mayor Matt Brown. "The Blackburn family has done so much for our community over the past 160 years. It's a great way to recognize the legacy and it's a great way to celebrate public art in one of our parks as well."
The piece was donated to the city's Public Art Program by the Walter J. Blackburn Foundation in 2013. At that time, city staff recommended it be placed adjacent the Walter J. Blackburn Memorial Fountain. It was an undertaking that was completed recently with the help of a $20,000 donation from the foundation to cover the cost of moving and installing The Sentinel.
"This piece has a tremendous amount of strength, it has presence, it has a very, very simple beauty, and is made of a material that is lasting," says Andrea Halwa, executive director of the London Arts Council. "I am thrilled that it is close to the road so that people can see it. If you are passing through on the trails, you can sit at the piece, you can approach it."
Blackburn's wife, Marjorie, commissioned the piece of a sentry keeping watch over the city in 1986, three years after his death. It was created by local artist Gino Lorcini and originally installed at 1 Communications Rd., the home of CFPL-TV, a television station formerly owned by Blackburn.
Sarah White, Blackburn's granddaughter and president of the Walter J. Blackburn Foundation, says she is thrilled her grandmother's tribute to her grandfather can now be enjoyed by all Londoners.
"Art is so personal so I think everyone will get something different out of it," says White. "I wish everyone had known my grandparents so they can understand what a loving tribute it is. I hope everyone who comes to see it will get something positive from it."
Standing beside The Sentinel following the dedication, White reflected on her time with Blackburn.
"My grandfather was an amazing man. We were blessed to always live close to my grandparents. They lived four or five houses down from us growing up," says White. "We were always able to walk down and spend time with him. To this day I can still recall the scent of the pipe that he smoked. It's a memory I hope I never lose."
The Blackburn family previously owned the London Free Press, CFPL-TV (now CTV London), and CFPL Radio.
It now owns London radio station Free 98.1.
The Sentinel is currently valued at $125,000 and will cost the city very little to maintain.