Esmond Lee

For the fifth year, the DMG has partnered with the City of Toronto, Economic Development & Culture Division to offer a year-long artist residency. This year, we are working with Scarborough-based artist Esmond Lee, whose focus will be on the curatorial process, as well as considering the use of audio in his practice.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Esmond Lee is an artist, scholar, and architect based in Scarborough, Toronto. He holds a Master of Architecture from University of Toronto and has practised as an architect for over a decade before returning to academia to pursue a Doctorate in Critical Geography from York University. Drawing from these diverse professional, academic, and personal backgrounds, Lee examines themes that include migration, identity, belonging, and nuanced cultural and political borders in the built environment. He was Toronto Public Library Woodside Square Mall’s first Artist-in-Residence where he produced a community-driven photobook. His recent public artworks include installations featured in Union Station (2023-2025), Nuit Blanche Toronto (2019, 2022) at Scarborough Town Centre, and for CONTACT Photography Festival at Malvern Town Centre. Lee is currently creating an ongoing, long term project about Scarborough: Below the City. His works are in the permanent collection of The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), and Doris McCarthy Gallery. Lee is supported by the Toronto, Ontario, and Canada art councils.