A rendering of the future 24-foot ‘common leaf’ planet sculpture at the Railside at The Forks development. (HANDOUT)
A new large-scale public art installation is coming to The Forks as part of the growing Railside development.
The piece, titled common leaf (stylized in lowercase), is created by Winnipeg artists Natalie Baird and Toby Gillies. The 24-foot-tall sculpture will be installed in a courtyard at Railside at The Forks and is inspired by the broadleaf plantain, a common plant found throughout the site.
The work will feature a towering seed pod and heart-shaped forms stretching upward between buildings. Constructed from painted and weathering steel along with Tyndall stone, the piece is designed to be both visually striking and interactive, encouraging visitors to engage with the space.
Officials say the installation reflects The Forks’ ongoing focus on public art as a way to connect people to place. The site already features more than 30 works from local and international artists.
The new sculpture will join The Candle by Winnipeg artist Ian August, who is also mentoring Baird and Gillies as they complete their first project of this scale.
The artists were selected through a 2025 emerging artist competition, developed in partnership with STEPS Public Art. Final proposals were reviewed by an artist selection panel.
Construction is now underway on Railside, which will transform former surface parking lots into a residential neighbourhood featuring green spaces, courtyards, and integrated public art.
The project is supported in part by a $200,000 grant from The Winnipeg Foundation.
Winnipeg artists Toby Gillies and Natalie Baird, the creators behind ‘common leaf.’ (HANDOUT)
