The Square Mile, home to London’s finance bros and more Prets than we’d care to count, is this week becoming a destination for art lovers as Sculpture in the City returns for its 13th year. The annual celebration of public art will this year offer a trail covering 17 works – 10 new works, plus five popular pieces retained from previous years and two permanent acquisitions.
‘Sculpture in the City aims to bring art to diverse audiences across various communities,’ says Stella Ioannou, artistic director of Sculpture in the City and founding director of Lacuna. ‘This year’s inspiring selection of artists brings interactive, contemplative, and playful sculptures that engage and captivate the onlooker.’
Here, we take a closer look at our favourites from this year’s sculptural crop – the ones that we think will cause the biggest stir, thanks to their artistry and timely messages. Maybe we’ll see you on the streets from 24 July as these works go on display 24 hours a day.
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Secret Sentinels by Clare Burnett
Walk almost anywhere in London and you are likely being watched. The city’s ubiquitous surveillance cameras are the theme behind this colourful work by artist Clare Burnett, situated at 70 St Mary Axe. Crafted from found objects, the structures (pictured top) are covered in vibrant mosaic tiles.
Caucus by Samuel Ross
This bench/sculpture may be familiar to design fans who followed the news from Design/Miami at the end of last year – Samuel Ross MBE’s park benches with attitude were installed across the district. Now, they will be available to see (and sit on) for the first time in London, at Mitre Square. Ross has had a stellar few years, from his collaborations with bathroom brand Kohler to the launch of his most recent collection, ‘Coarse’ at Friedman Benda gallery in New York. And 2025 looks set to be his year too –he was earlier this year appointed artistic director of the London Design Biennale.
Temple by Richard Mackness
The Square Mile has an inextricable link to commerce, and what could be a better representation of money (most importantly the spending of it) than a shopping bag? Contemporary artist Richard Mackness’s sculpture, which will be on display on the corner of 99 Bishopsgate and Wormwood Street elevates the humble bag to shrine-like importance, finished in gold. A timely and tongue-in-cheek commentary on consumer culture.
Kissing Gate by Maya Rose Edwards
Aldgate Square is one of the least rural locations we could imagine, but for the duration of Sculpture in the City it will host an artwork based on an item you would be more used to seeing in the middle of rolling farmland. An interactive sculpture, the Kissing Gate aims to create moments of connection between members of the public – PDAs encouraged, then.
Deluge by Hilary Jack (coming in September)
An urgent commentary on the climate crisis, this sculpture at The Leadenhall Building will comprise of two LED strips both showing newsreels – one displays contemporary flood data, while the other narrates ancient flood myths, from Noah’s Ark to Yutapnesh. Previously shown in Worcester and at Pershore Abbey, its message is intentionally and necessarily direct.
