Towering, surrealist-style candle chosen as new public art piece at The Forks’ Railside development

February 13, 2025 Canuck

A new piece of public art, by someone whose created other landmarks around the city, will be the first piece installed when Railside at The Forks is developed.

The Candle, by Métis artist Ian August, was unveiled on Thursday as the chosen artwork for the upcoming mixed-use development.

The whimsical sculpture will be an off-white candle form that bends and curves along the ground.

One end will come out of a simple candle holder and the other will stand almost four metres high, topped by a light that mimics a flame, according to a news release from The Forks North Portage.

The piece, whose shape takes inspiration from surrealist paintings and comic books from the 1970s, will be a focal point within the courtyard of Railside’s public spaces.

Construction of the development is set to begin this spring and a spokesperson for The Forks said installation of The Candle will take place when the public spaces of Railside’s phase one are ready sometime in 2027.

Coloured computer drawing of a large, bending candle — The Candle will be installed at Railside at The Forks upon completion of the public courtyards and spaces. (Supplied by The Forks)

The planning for Railside has been in the works for nearly a decade.

It will turn a 5.9-acre parcel of land, including two surface parking lots, into a residential and commercial neighbourhood with public spaces, courtyards, alleyways and artwork.

A request for an established Manitoba-based artist to create a piece for Railside was launched in September 2023.

A total of 19 submissions were received and a selection panel shortlisted that to four finalists, who were then commissioned to develop a conceptual proposal to present to the panel.

A large copper kettle art piece — The Rooster Town Kettle was installed in 2019 along the rapid transitway, which was still under construction at the time. (City of Winnipeg)

August’s candle was ultimately chosen as the winner. His other public art pieces include the copper-coloured Rooster Town Kettle on Hurst Way, near the Beaumont Station of the rapid transit corridor, and the nearby silhouettes named Fetching Water.

Both pieces honour the former Métis road allowance community that existed in the area before being its residents were evicted to make way for Grant Park Mall, Grant Park High School and the expansion of the Fort Rouge neighbourhood.

The Forks plans to put out another call, this spring, this time for an emerging artist to work in mentorship with August, to create a second public artwork for Railside.

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