A familiar part of The Forks landscape is about to be seen in a completely new way.
common leaf, by emerging Manitoba artists Natalie Baird and Toby Gillies, is the latest piece of public art set to take root in the courtyards of Railside at The Forks. The sculpture draws inspiration from the broadleaf plantain, a hardy plant found in the cracks of The Forks site (and all across southern Manitoba).
Now reimagined at 24-feet tall, common leaf captures the eyes of both Railside residents and Forks visitors. Its towering seed pod and a column of heart-shaped leaves stretch up between buildings toward the sun, catching attention from every angle. Made from painted and weathering steel, along with Tyndall stone blocks, this piece uses colourful graphic shapes to create a space that feels playful, interactive, and photo-worthy.
“We wanted to magnify an everyday plant to remind us that it is something worth noticing,” said Toby Gillies, artist. “Scaling it up felt like a way to reflect on the quiet relationship between people, place, and the small things that endure.”
Public art has always been part of what makes The Forks feel like… The Forks. The site is currently home to more than 30 works by artists from Manitoba and around the world. As Railside begins to take shape, President and CEO of The Forks, Sara Stasiuk, looks to carry that same spirit forward.
“This wonderful new work of art is a creative way to bring something that’s often overlooked onsite into view as a meaningful piece,” said Sara Stasiuk, President and CEO, The Forks. “Public art is central to The Forks experience, creating a stronger sense of connection to place. Art will play a key role in making Railside look and feel like it’s ‘More of The Forks.’”
common leaf joins The Candle by Winnipeg artist Ian August, which was announced last year. In the spirit of collaboration, Ian has been mentoring Natalie and Toby.
“Ian’s mentoring has been terrific. We’ve never made a piece this large before, and we’ve never had to plan for how it will deal with the weather and with thousands of people interacting with it,” said Natalie Baird, artist. “It will be a thrill to see our work become part of The Forks.”
As Railside continues to grow, more stories are on the way. Stay tuned as more of The Forks takes shape!