Look up next time you visit The Forks Market, and you’ll see three canoes filled with a whimsical cast of 19 characters mounted to the back of The Common.

“Canoes,” an art installation by Jordan Van Sewell, one of Canada’s leading ceramic artists, is the final component of Phase I of The Forks Market renovations.

“There is room for art everywhere,” says Paul Jordan, CEO The Forks North Portage. “This piece is fun, inclusive, and demonstrates that the space at The Forks Market is not only functional, but also a place that can and should be celebrated through art.”

The piece – commissioned by Number TEN Architectural Group, responsible for Phase I Forks Market renovations – is in three parts: each a colourful canoe filled with a unique crew of characters reflecting the diversity, history, and energy here where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet at The Forks.

“There is no better Canadian icon than the canoe – and this could be everyone you would ever want to see in a canoe,” says artist, Jordan Van Sewell. “It’s quite an inclusive piece and I’m sure people will recognize each of the characters in the cast – it’s something I think everyone can have a little fun with.”

Van Sewell is a ceramic artist working in Winnipeg. He studied fine Arts at the University of Manitoba, and has been creating art for 45 years. His work is included in many prestigious collections throughout the globe and often reflects whimsy about our culture.

Van Sewell will be hosting an artist talk on “Canoes” at The Common in April.

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