The Pillars of Justice are Coming to University Ave.

City-installed street art in Toronto usually gets a bad rep. But hey, have you seen some of it? Typical reactions range from "I don't get it", to "I don't get it, and its ugly".

The city is hoping to change that opinion with its new installation, which is to begin construction this year and open next June. The $1.6 million dollar McMurtry Gardens of Justice will consist of 10 separate pieces, and will be a work in progress for several years to come.

The first piece to be commissioned is Edwina Sandys' Pillars of Justice (The English artists is the granddaughter of Winston Churchill). The sculpture will sit at the corner of Queen and University, and will be a 4.5 meter tall Romanesque design. Future pieces will dot along the Courthouse between University and Nathan Phillips Square.

However, the piece will contain 11, instead of the normal 12, pillars carved in human-like form. The 12th will be the viewer.

It is still uncertain when or how future pieces for the installation will be selected or funded. The province and the city have yet to contribute funds to the project. To this point it has all come from private donation.

The installation is being created to honour the soon to be retired Ontario Chief Justice Roy McMurty.

Photo courtesy of Rick Eglinton at The Toronto Star