Unbound
The Allegorical Archipelago of Abya Yala
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About
ROM is delighted to host a powerful new installation by French artist Raphaël Barontini as part of the 2026 Toronto Biennial of Art.
Soaring above Futalognkosaurus in Gloria Chen Court, five large, hand-dyed and screen-printed panels depict allegorical and political narratives. From water gods to anti-slavery heroines, Barontini has woven together images to tell Black and Caribbean histories. Examining migration, resilience, and cultural exchange, the installation is inspired by the concept of Abya Yala – a term for the Americas derived from Indigenous solidarity movements – and presents an exciting visual cue to examine under-represented histories.
Reimagining history through a contemporary lens, Barontini presents stories of people connected by water, showcasing cultures from Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. Drawing on images from the collections at ROM, blended with archival and cultural references, his compelling montages weave together histories of resistance from all over the world. Heroic figures showcased in each panel serve as symbols, or allegories, of ideas, movements, and beliefs that have travelled across waterways.
Remarkable and relevant, Unbound boldly interrupts the status quo of an encyclopedic museum, and invites contemplation and thoughtful conversation on the legacy of historical omissions and histories of resistance.
Raphaël Barontini
Acclaimed French artist Raphaël Barontini was born in Saint-Denis (France) and currently lives and works in Paris. His works are held in major international collections and have toured around the world. Barontini’s primary works challenge the historical interpretation surrounding cultures and territories marked by slavery or colonization, and his artistic approach invites the examination of new imaginaries and narratives enriched by a pluralistic history.
The Toronto Biennial of Art (TBA) is a twelve-week event held every two years. This year’s edition, entitled Things Fall Apart: Notes on Rupture, unfolds through a set of propositions anchored by the question: What can we learn from artists who explore rupture as a way to understand who we are and the world we live in?
Artist Portraits
