Love a good deal – and even more so than that, a good freebie? Also love art and sculpture? Well, then London is already the right city for you – what with the many free museums and artworks dotted around the city. And now that Sculpture In The City has returned to London for its 12th edition, even more spellbinding, free art has hit the capital.
The completely free-to-view artworks (they are outdoors after all!) dropped down in London’s financial district on June 27. They make for a wonderful day out wandering around, trying to spot them all. On a nice warm day, it’s akin to enjoying a museum but whilst basking in the sunshine at the same time – and with a bit of treasure hunting thrown into the mix. For this year’s edition of Sculpture In The City, the works on display come from 17 artists from 10 different countries. These artworks are displayed all around Central London, including a new space on Creechurch Lane, alongside the return of two former art sites.
What is Sculpture In The City?
Every year, come summertime, the City of London partners with local London businesses to display a brand new selection of public artworks from internationally-acclaimed and emerging contemporary artists. These pieces, which are scattered around and between Aldgate, Monument, Fenchurch Street, and Liverpool Street stations, bring London’s public spaces to life. They interact with the city’s architecture, and engage with passers-by, bringing world-class art right to the very street itself.
Since it launched in 2011, Sculpture In The City has brought 154 artworks from 130 artists to publicly accessible places for tourists and commuters alike to enjoy. Instead of having to visit a museum to see art, the gallery is brought outside for all to enjoy – whether they’re rushing to work, exploring the city, or simply taking a lunch break on a bench opposite.
Said Stella Ioannou, Artistic Director of Sculpture in the City and Founding Director of Lacuna:
“With the 12th Edition of Sculpture in the City we proudly present the most international and diverse list of artists and artworks to date. The curatorial vision proposes exciting possibilities for emerging talent and revisits renowned artworks in surprising new settings to raise poignant questions about the meaning and possibilities of public art today.”
New for 2023
For the 12th edition of Sculpture In The City, new works come from Simeon Barclay, Phyllida Barlow, Larry Bell, Rafael D’Aló, Vanessa da Silva, Arturo Herrera, Isamu Noguchi, and Mika Rottenberg. These join seven sculptures that are being carried forward from last year’s edition, including pieces from Jocelyn McGregor, Emma Louise Moore, Pedro Pires, Jesse Pollock, Ugo Rondinone, Victor Lim Seaward and Emma Smith. Two further, now permanent, sculptures from Oliver Bragg and Elisa Artesero complete the roundup.
There’s no shortage of new art to see, or existing art to rediscover. And the Sculpture In The City will remain in the city until the spring of 2024. So you’ve got plenty of time to find ALL of the artwork. Happy sculpture hunting!
Find out more at the Sculpture In The City website.