The Beach

Composition Study 0806
2024 
Wood panel, canvas, acrylic paint, ChromaLife100+ ink, paper 
36 inches in diameter 
Approximately 7,209 paper pieces 

The concentric circles of The Beach, Composition 0806 by Lesley Luce pay tribute to the layered histories and evolving landscape of Toronto’s Beach neighborhood. Composed of 7,209 fragments of cut paper, the piece meticulously arranges landmarks, cultural history, and personal connections. 

Rendered in soft shades of sand and brown, the monochromatic palette evokes the natural tones of the shoreline. Embedded within the rings are photographs from the Toronto Archives, portraits from Bud’s Coffee Bar, a portrait of Ted Reeve and details from the Leuty Lifeguard Station mural by Chief Lady Bird, among others. The piece also features illustrations from the ForWARD Nine community map (1980), grounding it in the Beach’s rich history, while a centerpiece of sea glass collected from Woodbine Beach creates a tangible link to the shoreline. 

The Beach, Composition 0806 draws viewers in with its bold structure, gradually revealing intricate details that bridge past and present, personal and communal. What first appears abstract unfolds into a curated visual archive, where each fragment holds significance in telling the story of the Beach.