“Art never answers questions, it only asks them,” explained Fela Grunwald, curator of Torys’ private art collection, as lawyers stopped to ponder a six-foot-high image of a garbage bag against a white background. This piece, by the artist Kelly Wood, represents the most controversial work in the Torys art collection (you may have seen it – before the firm’s renovations it was the first thing you saw when you got off the elevator at reception).
Last night, 60 women were hosted by Torys in Toronto for the Young Women in Law AGM, which was followed by a tour of the firm’s private art collection. Torys has been amassing artwork since the seventies, with a focus on collecting works by Canadian contemporary artists. Grunwald led the tour and spoke briefly about the various paintings on display, as well as the relationships between the artwork. She also highlighted some works commissioned specifically for the firm, including two impressive folding screens (one in each boardroom) that descend from the ceiling at the press of a button (!) and act as room dividers. One screen, by Toronto artist Robert Fones, is inspired by Lake Ontario and contains a passage from Don Quixote. The other, by Pascal Grandmaison, contains an image of a pensive young man, with each side of the screen revealing a different perspective. Grunwald’s passion for art and particularly for this collection was obvious, and her observations were well received by an appreciative and curious audience of young women lawyers.
YWL brought many young female lawyers together for a great evening of drinks, networking and entertainment. One of the key objectives of the organization is to encourage women to stay in private practice. Going to work with art like this on the walls would certainly make you reluctant to leave.