1908–2000
York Cemetery
Section 18 Lot 349
Born in Canton, China, Sing Hoo immigrated to Canada at the age of 14. His artistic journey began in Toronto, where he graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1933. Before completing his studies, he assisted renowned sculptor Emanuel Hahn on the Sir Adam Beck Monument – an early sign of his emerging talent.
From 1934 to 1942, Hoo worked in the Paleontology Department at the Royal Ontario Museum, honing his skills in form and detail. His quest for mastery took him to London, England, where he studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in 1937 and later at the Royal Academy of Art in 1948. Over the decades, Hoo became a respected member of the Ontario Society of Artists, the Sculptors Society of Canada and the Royal Canadian Academy of Art.
His works are featured in prestigious collections, including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. In 1984 and 1992, he returned to China as a guest lecturer, introducing Canadian art to new audiences and strengthening cultural ties.
Sources:
• Mount Pleasant Group – Sing Hoo
• Wikipedia – Sing Hoo
Photo:
• Sing Hoo with sculpture "Happy Pair", Ontario Society of Artists fonds uploaded as part of the Archives of Ontario’s GLAM Wiki project, Public domain
