Montreal is an avante garde city. The girls and guys are oh so fashionable, the Metro doubles as an art gallery and there are scads of public sculptures everywhere you turn. No wonder UNESCO deigned it a City of Design in 2006. Apparently, the city wants to upkeep its reputation because they’ve imported three of Ju Ming’s pieces in his highly regarded sculpture series, Taichi.

Born in Taiwan, 1938, Ju Ming took up taichi in the late 70s. Inspired, he created the namesake series, imbuing the huge public sculptures with an understated grace. His fame exploded from there, first nationally then internationally. Since the ’80s he’s exhibited in Singapore, Hong Kong, London, New York and more.

In Montreal the sculptures are mostly located around the Old Port, with a third in Mont Royal Park. They’ve been there since 2006, but if you’re visiting this summer, they’re best experienced on a beautiful, warm day. Take full advantage of the opportunity and search out these masterful sculptures.

Photo courtesy of Michel Dubreuil, Ville de Montreal