Canadian artist Tom Benner leaves behind legacy of iconic work, including London's beloved “White Rhino"

Tom Benner (left) in his studio with his brother Ron Benner in front of Tom's recent sculpture, "Polar Bear," 2019 (in progress in Tom’s studio). Photo Credit Tariq Hassan Gordon, January 2019.

Tom Benner's “White Rhino" (1986) sculpture with a black armband in honour of his passing. Photo Credit: Jamelie Hassan on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

With great sadness, we share the news of the passing of Canadian artist Tom Benner, who died at home in London, Ontario, on September 21, 2022, at age 72. 
 
Tom is well known in London for his iconic White Rhino, from 1985-86, a metal sculpture installed on the grounds of Museum London. His work often signaled the tension between humans, non-humans, and the environment. While using a range of materials and processes, he presciently created large-scale sculptures of endangered species that engaged with a broad public and raised awareness of the climate crisis we presently face. It is no exaggeration that Tom Benner's White Rhino is this city's most beloved public artwork.

In 1990, Tom Benner presented a solo exhibition at the ECH. The exhibition was a series of works titled “The Coves" and was organized by Doug Mitchell. Among other works in the collection of Museum London is the powerful Hanging Fin (Whale) sculpture from 1983.

In honour of Tom, Embassy Cultural House co-founder and artist Ron Benner (brother of Tom Benner) has placed a black armband on the White Rhino to commemorate Tom's passing. 
 
ECH joins with many individuals and institutions to commemorate Tom and to celebrate his life and work and the many important connections he made within our communities in Canada and internationally.
 
In memory of Tom, the Embassy Cultural House has made a donation to the recently inaugurated New School of the Anthropocene based in London, UK. 
 
For recent news on the passing of Tom, please visit these articles.

CBC: Canadian artist Tom Benner, known for eye-catching animal sculptures, dead at 72
​Museum London: Tom Benner (1950-2022)
 
We have set up a tribute page here.
 
With love and solidarity, 
The ECH Team