The large, bronze reproduction of Auguste Rodin's sculpture "The Thinker" has sat musing silently outside the MacLaren Art Centre for more than a decade.
But the sculpture of a man in meditation will be leaving its familiar corner in Barrie.
"The Thinker is a loaned work that was part of a private collection from a long-term loan and that loan has come to an end. It will be returned to the private collection," Sue-Ellen Boyes, Director of Development and Marketing for the MacLaren Art Centre.
The question is what will replace The Thinker?
The MacLaren thinks it's a perfect opportunity to showcase original Canadian sculptures already in the gallery's Permanent Collection of 27,390 works of art.
One of the pieces being considered is currently on loan at the Prime Minister's residence, according to Boyes.
"Dream Chamber" is a bronze casting by Sorel Etrog.
The other piece is presently in storage awaiting a place to be displayed and the outside corner might just be the spot.
The Shlosha by Kosso Eloul is a 1972 massive stainless steel sculpture.
"It seemed to us on the cusp of Canada 150th celebrations, the 100th anniversary of the Carnegie Library which formed such an important part of our building and on the tail end of our own 30th anniversary, it seemed like a really good opportunity to look at our outdoor space and reinvigorate or revitalize the outdoor space into an outdoor sculpture garden," said Boyes.
This plan is in the preliminary stages, says Boyes, and it all depends on funding and approval of an application to Ontario's Trillium Foundation.
"These are original works by contemporary artists who lived and worked in Canada," said Boyes. "They're part of our collection. They're not a loan from anyone, so why wouldn't we take this opportunity to put them there for people to see."
"They're not reproductions. They're the real deal."
Boyes says if all goes well the MacLaren hopes to have an official unveiling next September.
Right now there is no timeline for when The Thinker will move on.
