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Visual Arts

Art to experience in the great outdoors

By Emily Spicer on 30/8/2023

They say food always tastes better outdoors and it's true that there is something about fresh air and daylight that really heightens the senses. Arguably, sculpture is also best experienced outside, so why not take a day trip to an art trail in London or further afield?

The Line, East London

The Line is a free public art walk populated with works by some of the biggest names in sculpture. The walk runs from Stratford to the O2, offering a wealth of historical sites along the way. Exhibiting artists include Anish Kapoor, Gary Hume and Anthony Gormley. There are guided tours over the summer, health and well-being walks every Thursday at 11am and regular art-based workshops. Check the website for more details.

WHERE

London

Sculpture in the City

East of St Paul's Cathedral, in London's Square Mile, Sculpture in the City winds a path through some of London's most impressive skyscrapers. The free trail comprises of works by high-profile names and emerging artists alike. This, the 12^th Edition, features 18 artworks by 17 artists from 10 different countries. Exhibiting artists include Phyllida Barlow, Isamu Noguchi and recent Goldsmith's graduate Rafael D’Aló.

WHEN

Until Spring 2024

WHERE

City of London

The Serpentine Pavilion

Designed by French-Lebanese artist Lina Ghotmeh and built from oak, this year's Serpentine Pavilion celebrates 'nature and conviviality.' Inspired by the architect’s Mediterranean heritage, the Pavilion is titled À table – a French call to sit together at dinner to discuss life, art, family and politics. In this spirit, the interior of the Pavilion features chairs and a concentric table, inviting visitors to join this lively tradition. Ghotmeh will also contribute to a new menu based on organic ingredients, available at the Pavilion throughout the summer months.

WHEN

9 June - 29 October 2023

WHERE

Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, London, W2 3XA

New Sculpture Garden, South London

A new permanent sculpture garden on Camberwell New Road launches with Dancing in the Shadow of Henry, a collaboration with artist, curator and Head of Sculpture at the Royal College of Art, Sarah Staton. Inspired by Henry Moore’s Two Piece Reclining Figure No. 3, which sits in the nearby Brandon Estate, just south of Kennington Park, Dancing in the Shadow of Henry will transform a small pocket of land into a lively exhibition space.

WHEN

From 17 July

WHERE

135 Camberwell New RdLondon SE5 0AT

The Broadgate Art Trail

The Broadgate Art Trail includes 16 works displayed inside and outside the buildings around Broadgate, a stone's throw from Liverpool Street Station. Works include Barry Flanagan's Bronze sculpture Leaping Hare, Stephen Cox's Ganapathi and Devi and Morag Myerscough's Atoll (pictured).

WHEN

All year

Canary Wharf Art Trail

Canary Wharf's Art Trail is the UK’s largest free-to-visit, outdoor, public art collection. The permanent collection displays more than 100 works, with new and temporary exhibits added every year. Look out for Adam Nathaniel Furman's Click Your Heels Together Three Times celebrates The Wizard of Oz, an important work in the queer filmic canon. Launched in Pride Month, this artwork transform the concrete space of Adam's Plaza with 'a queer outfit that kaleidoscopically reinvents a piece of modernist infrastructure.' See the link below for a map of the Trail's artworks.

Canary Wharf Children's Art Trail

If the 100 public artworks dotted around Canary Wharf feels a touch overwhelming, check out the Children's Art Trail. Revamped just in time for summer, it's comprised of 12 pieces of art curated especially to engage youngster and to inspire budding artists. Click here to download the Children’s Art Trail map.

WHERE

Canary Wharf, London

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Only two hours by train from London King's Cross, Yorkshire Sculpture Park is the perfect place to while away a few hours. The park includes major works by Damien Hirst, Ai Wei Wei and Anthony Gormley. Current exhibitions include Daniel Arsham's Relics in the Landscape (pictured) and a major exhibition by Erwin Wurm. Erwin Wurm (b.1954) is one of Austria’s most prominent artists. His exhibition includes 55 indoor sculptures, 19 sculptures in the landscape along with paintings, photographs, videos and drawings created over 30 years of the artist’s career

WHEN

All year

WHERE

Yorkshire Sculpture Park West Bretton Wakeﬁeld WF4 4LG United Kingdom

The Sculpture Garden at Houghton Hall, Norfolk

The grand grounds and Palladian architecture at Houghton Hall provide an imposing setting for outdoor exhibitions by internationally renowned artists. Since American artist James Turrell created 'Skyspace' in 2000, the collection has grown and the gardens have become home to works by the likes of Richard Long, Rachel Whiteread, Stephen Cox and Henry Moore. Current exhibitions included Sean Scully's Smaller Than the Sky (until October).

WHERE

Bircham Rd, King's Lynn PE31 6TY

The Sculpture Park, Churt, Surrey

The Sculpture Park, Churt boasts 650 modern and contemporary artworks across its 10 acres of arboretum and water gardens. Many of the works are for sale. Zimbabwean artist Bigbrain Chikodzi is currently exhibiting a collection of his stone sculptures. If you visit, there is a good chance you will meet Bigbrain, as he is on site all summer to greet visitors.

WHERE

Corner of Jumps and Tilford Road, Churt, Nr Farnham Surrey GU10 2LH

Loo Gardens, London

Although not strictly speaking 'outdoor' art, we couldn't resist including Loo Gardens. This subterranean installation, deep within London's Super Sewer has been created to symbolise a healthier future for the River Thames. The Super Sewer (which goes into service next year) has been designed to divert sewage away from the capital's river. Loo Gardens celebrates this environmental win with a 'playful, river-inspired experience.' 50 lucky members of the public will win the chance to visit this immersive installation.