It happened on the northeast corner of the gallery near Dundas and McCaul streets Wednesday night.
Police say a man was seen using white spray paint to deface the “Couch Monster” bronze sculpture, which depicts an elephant joined by sofas, armchairs and other furniture.
The Hate Crime Unit was then consulted and the incident is now being treated as a suspected hate crime, according to police.
An image of the suspect was also released.
He is described as being in his 50s with a medium build, shoulder-length brown and gray hair, a bald spot on the top of his head and gray and white cropped facial stubble. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with a “Tobacconist” logo on the front, a black sleeveless hoodie with faded black and gray jeans, black Adidas sneakers with blue soles and a wristwatch with a black band on each wrist. She also carried a black drawstring bag.
It’s just the latest incident of anti-Semitic graffiti in Toronto.
Earlier Friday, police also released surveillance camera images of two men who allegedly spray-painted anti-Semitic graffiti at three different locations in North York last month. .
These incidents are believed to have occurred in the area of Yonge Street and Empress Avenue in the early hours of June 9.
The first suspect is described as 16 to 20 years old with a thin build. He was last seen wearing all black clothing and a blue face mask.
The second suspect is described as 16 to 20 years old with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a dark hat, a gray long-sleeved shirt and jacket with reflective stripes under the arms, black shorts, black shoes with white soles and a blue mask.
Police are currently investigating the incident in North York as disorderly conduct, but the Hate Crime Unit has been notified and will support the investigation as needed.
