Royal Botanical Gardens presents a summer spectacle…
A massive new sculpture exhibition has taken over Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG)! ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey marks the first Canadian exhibition by artist Ken Kelleher, internationally known as Anchorball, transforming Canada’s most iconic gardens into an immersive landscape of monumental sculpture, character and discovery. The exhibition features 18 large-scale works, reaching up to 12 feet tall, alongside an integrated augmented reality experience embedded throughout the garden.
“ANCHORBALL brings a bold and playful new experience to the Royal Botanical Gardens, blending larger-than-life art, digital discovery and natural beauty in a way that’s innovative and inspiring,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “This immersive spectacle is a visual, interactive treat for people of all ages. I invite everyone to visit RBG this summer, explore ANCHORBALL and enjoy an unforgettable, imaginative experience.”
A WORLD OF CHARACTERS, IN FULL BLOOM
At the centre of the exhibition is a cast of larger-than-life, playful pop-art figures that feel as though they’ve stepped out of another world and into the garden.
- The Venus Floralis series, up to 8 feet tall, combine human form with botanical elements in a series of surreal sculptural portraits.
- The Main Characters, Willy, Winky, Bunni B, and Quantum Leap, each approximately 8 feet tall, are bold, animated and expressive, with their own personality and story.
- The Florals series includes floral sculptures up to 12 feet tall, such as Mystifloria, Kung Pao, and others, extending the forms of the surrounding garden at an exaggerated scale.
Together, they create a cohesive sculptural world where play, nature and art intersect, inviting visitors to move through the garden and explore.
A HIDDEN DIGITAL LAYER
Beyond the physical works, ANCHORBALL introduces a second, invisible exhibition. Visitors can use their smartphones to discover 5 hidden augmented reality Cloudwalkers placed throughout the garden. Once all are found, a final AR Masterpiece is unlocked, revealing a digital work that exists only through interaction. Audio reflections from the artist and augmented reality elements expand the world of the characters.
A NEW KIND OF GARDEN EXPERIENCE
The setting for ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey is integral to the experience. RBG’s sustainable Rose Garden features a curated display of roses and companion plantings selected to extend seasonal interest. Emphasizing new Canadian, cold-hardy varieties, the garden reflects an innovative approach to horticulture and design. Curated pathways, a central fountain and expansive treelines create a picturesque backdrop for RBG’s Tea House, events and culinary experiences.
“This is my first exhibition in Canada and one of the largest I’ve presented to date,” said Kelleher. “To install it at Royal Botanical Gardens is a unique opportunity, the characters feel like they belong here. They’ve arrived for the summer, and it’s something you need to experience in person.” kenkelleher.com
EXHIBITION DETAILS
RBG celebrates its 85th anniversary year, with its largest and most ambitious exhibition to date.
ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey
Open daily until September 20, 2026
Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Rd W, Burlington, ON
rbg.ca/anchorball.
