My Biggest Public Art Commission (So Far)

How persistence led me to win my first public art competition

Alright, here goes my first post. I want to talk about the biggest public art project I’ve ever landed. This thing is huge. Like, actually huge: 8 metres by 8 metres by 2 metres, and it’s going to be hanging in the brand new John Innes Recreation Centre at Moss Park in Toronto.

So, how did this happen?

It all started back in January 2024. I got shortlisted for a public art competition for one of two big commissions at the new Moss Park site. There was this pretty intense design brief asking artists to reference the Two Row Wampum Belt, plus the usual stuff like budget, materials, and all the do’s and don’ts. Six artists were picked for two opportunities, one was an outdoor sculpture, the other was an indoor hanging piece.

After thinking it over, I went for the indoor one. To be honest, the outdoor materials were kind of limiting and I’ve always wanted to try making a big hanging sculpture. I’m also pretty obsessed with how 3D digital tools and AR let you play with space, so I figured I could use those skills to my advantage.

But I’ll be real, I almost gave up a bunch of times. Some of the other artists were heavy hitters and I kept feeling like I was out of my depth. I kept telling myself it was about the experience and not to get too attached. But then I spent some time at the Banff Centre working on the design, and it started to click. My managers gave me lots of feedback, sometimes brutally honest, always helpful, and I just kept refining it.

Funny thing, once I really liked my design, I started getting more nervous about presenting it. At first, I was all, "whatever happens, happens," but then I started to really want it. I mean, really want it.

So here’s what I ended up with: five CNC’d hardwood “rivers” with mirrored inlays that shift from clear to purple, inspired by the Two Row Wampum Belt. The piece is called “Baketigweyaa,” which means “tributary” in Anishinaabemowin. It’s based on the way rivers meander and split, kind of like how people and cultures have changed and intertwined over the last 400 years since the wampum belt was made. The whole thing is about movement, change, and connection.

In the end, I actually won the competition. Seriously, I still can’t quite believe it. The artwork will be installed in 2029, so there’s still a ways to go, but it’s happening.

Can’t wait to share more as this project comes together.