Irving Zucker (1920-2002) loved art. He talked endlessly about it, surrounded himself with it, and believed in its power to inspire and provide pleasure. His enthusiasm for art was unbridled and his playful, down-to-earth nature guided his collecting instincts. He made no distinction between regional, national and international artists and their work; if a painting or sculpture moved him or simply made him happy, he wanted to live with it, to have it at hand. This level of commitment to art is rare, but then Irving Zucker was an exceptional man.

His passion for art was also something he shared, having been made a Member of the Order of Canada in the field of philanthropy in 1997. In 1990, Irving donated major works by Canadian painter Jean-Paul Riopelle and British sculptor Lynn Chadwick to the Art Gallery of Hamilton; this gift elevated the stature of the Gallery’s Canadian and International holdings and set in motion a sustained relationship between the collector and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Over the course of the next twelve years, Irving would gift over one hundred works to the AGH, including major pieces by Joyce Wieland and Michael Snow, Alexander Archipenko, Fernand Botero, Elisabeth Frink, Barbara Hepworth, and Ron Martin.

Many of the sculptures that surround you in the Irving Zucker Sculpture Garden were gifts from this important Hamilton philanthropist. The beautification of this garden and, by extension, Hamilton’s downtown core would have pleased Irving immensely. We are grateful to him and his children Suzy, Martin and David who, following in their father’s footsteps, have allowed us to realize this truly special space, the Irving Zucker Sculpture Garden.