Artworks by Ai Weiwei to be unveiled in London as part of the 14th edition of Sculpture in the City

25 June 2025

On 16 July 2025, artworks by Ai Weiwei, Andrew Sabin and Jane and Louise Wilson will be installed amidst the iconic architecture of the City of London from this summer as part of the 14th edition of Sculpture in the City, the annual public art exhibition set in the heart of the Square Mile.

The 14th edition of Sculpture in the City continues its mission to transform the City of London into a vibrant open-air gallery, placing world-class public art in the heart of one of the world’s most iconic urban environments. Sculpture in the City is delivered by the City of London Corporation, alongside LACUNA, a leading cultural studio.

Offering a striking contrast to the surrounding urban landscape, Ai Weiwei’s cast-iron tree root sculpture Roots: Palace will be installed at St Botolph without Bishopsgate. Part of a series created in collaboration with Brazilian artisans and communities by moulding sculptures from the roots and trunks of endangered Pequi Vinagreiro trees, the work explores uprootedness. It references the artist’s personal exile, as well as global refugee crises and the displacement of Brazil’s indigenous peoples. Crafted using ancient “lost wax” casting techniques, elements of these rare tree roots are transformed into evocative compositions that resemble both mythical creatures and fragmented natural forms.

Stella Ioannou, Artistic Director of Sculpture in the City and Founding Director of Lacuna, said: "What continues to excite me even in our 14th edition is how each iteration feels entirely new. Seeing these works come to life in the heart of The City is never just about placing sculpture on site, it’s about the conversations that unfold between people, buildings and ideas. It’s a joy to witness how The City becomes a backdrop, a stage, even a collaborator in the work."

Find out more via Sculpture in the City.

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