Anchorball Exhibition at Royal Botanical Gardens
Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) will present a contemporary art exhibition in summer 2026, combining large-scale sculpture with augmented reality. Opening on 20 June 2026, ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey marks the first Canadian exhibition by artist Ken Kelleher, better known as Anchorball. The exhibition introduces installations across the garden landscape, merging physical works with digital features.
The display consists of 18 monumental sculptures distributed throughout the site, with some reaching heights of up to 12 feet. These installations are placed within the existing garden setting, forming part of a wider exhibition layout. An augmented reality component is also included, allowing visitors to access additional digital content on mobile devices as they move through the gardens.
The exhibition coincides with the 85th anniversary of Royal Botanical Gardens and represents the largest exhibition staged at the venue to date. It will run until 20 September 2026. Ticketing options include different pricing categories, with adult admission starting at $19.50. Further details are available at rbg.ca/anchorball.
The exhibition includes a series of stylised sculptural works presented as character-based forms. The Venus Floralis series features works that combine human forms with botanical elements, with individual pieces attaining heights of up to eight feet. These sculptures are installed across designated areas within the garden.
Additional works include a group of figures identified as Willy, Winky, Bunni B, and Quantum Leap. Each of these sculptures measures about eight feet tall and forms part of the central display. The Florals series includes large-scale floral sculptures, including works titled Mystifloria and Kung Pao, with some pieces extending to 12 feet in height. These installations are distributed across the garden, aligned with the exhibition layout.
The exhibition also incorporates a digital layer through augmented reality. Visitors can locate five digital elements called Cloudwalkers using their smartphones. Once all five elements are identified, an additional digital work is accessible. The augmented reality component also includes audio and graphical elements related to the exhibition.
The programme forms part of the Royal Botanical Gardens’ approach to incorporating cultural exhibitions within its natural spaces. The initiative is intended to support visitor engagement and enhance its role as a destination for both environmental and cultural activities.
The exhibition is set within the Rose Garden, which includes a carefully chosen selection of roses and companion plantings designed to extend seasonal display. The garden features plant varieties suited to colder climates, alongside pathways, a central fountain, and surrounding tree lines. These elements constitute part of the setting in which the installations are placed, along with facilities such as the Tea House and event and food-service areas.
Royal Botanical Gardens is a not-for-profit organisation responsible for more than 2,100 acres of land and ecosystems located within a large urban environment in Canada. The organisation provides educational, cultural, and culinary programmes across its network of gardens and natural areas. The introduction of ANCHORBALL forms part of its programme for 2026, in line with its anniversary year and extending its use of outdoor space for exhibitions that include both physical and digital components.
