A new landmark piece of public art has been selected for Railside at The Forks. Local Métis artist Ian August’s artwork, The Candle, will be the first piece of public art as a part of the upcoming mixed-use development.
“Public art transforms ordinary spaces into meaningful magnetic environments,” says Sara Stasiuk, Chief Executive Officer, The Forks North Portage. “Ian August’s The Candle strongly reflects the vision and values of The Forks, it creates a place of comfort and warmth and represents hospitality. And we are thrilled to have this piece be a part of Railside.”
The Candle will be a whimsical sculpture with an off-white candle form that bends and curves along the ground. One end of the candle will come out of a simple candle holder, and the other will be 12-feet up, featuring a light mimicking a flame. The shape takes inspiration from surrealist paintings and comic books from the 1970s. The piece will be a focal point within the courtyard and will invite visitors to sit, rest, and socialize, forming a natural meeting place within a meeting place.
“Railside is an exciting evolution for The Forks as it becomes a place of residence, a home, and a place to strengthen community,” says Ian August, artist. “Thinking about this shift brought me to consider universal symbols of home and belonging, and the broader spirit of opening your home to others to create an accepting and welcoming community. This is the basis for The Candle.”
The Forks initially put out a request for qualifications looking for an established Manitoba-based artist to create a piece for Railside in September 2023. A selection panel comprised of art consultants, curators, and technical advisors, then shortlisted four artists from 19 submissions. The four finalists were commissioned to develop a conceptual proposal that was presented to the panel. August’s proposal for The Candle was chosen as the winner.
“The Forks site is a very familiar and special place to me,” says August. “I worked for years giving historical boat tours from The Forks docks and currently work at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, plus I recall going for family bike rides through the area back when it was all dirt roads and resembled more of an old rail yard.”
Railside at The Forks has been in the works for some time and will transform two surface parking lots at The Forks into a vibrant residential neighbourhood, including public spaces, courtyards, alleyways, and of course, art. Construction of the development is set to begin this spring.
The Candle will be installed at Railside at The Forks upon completion of the public courtyards and spaces. These spaces, including public artwork, have been generously supported by The Winnipeg Foundation, through a $200,000 capital grant to The Forks Foundation.
"We are thrilled to continue our commitment to public art through support for this next installation at The Forks," says Joanna Turner, Senior Program Officer at The Winnipeg Foundation. "Public art offers the opportunity for us to come together in so many ways. Railside will merge public art concepts and landscape design - assuring a symbiotic relationship between the two - and a stunning backdrop for community exploration, engagement and connection."
August’s other public art pieces include Rooster Town Kettle and Fetching Water that can be found along Winnipeg’s Southwest Rapid Transitway. His work has also been featured in several exhibitions, including Re: Build Them at Gallery 1C03 at the University of Winnipeg, Kwaata-nihtaawakihk - A Hard Birth at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and most recently as a part of Confluence, ROSEMARY Gallery’s inaugural exhibition.
This spring, The Forks, in partnership with STEPS Public Art – a national nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive spaces through public art – will put out a call for qualifications for an emerging artist to work in mentorship with August to create a second significant public artwork for Railside. The Forks values fostering creativity and giving space to up-and-coming artists, this intentional connection between established and emerging artists is to encourage creative collaboration, build connections, and enrich the work of both artists.