Sophie Tea Debuts First Public Commission Under the Pier at Fulham Pier

Sophie Tea, an artist who taught herself and avoided the conventional gallery route, has unveiled her inaugural public commission, "Under the Pier," located at Fulham Pier in London. This installation features 20 architectural beams along the riverwalk, along with two large paintings and 16 coral sculptures, all curated by the cultural placemaking agency New Public. Starting her painting journey in 2014 without formal training or industry connections, Tea amassed a following of three million on social media and established three free galleries on Carnaby Street, plus one in Sydney. She also held a sold-out exhibition at the London Palladium, donating all proceeds to charity. The installation is accessible to the public daily from June until October 2026, except during Fulham FC home matches. Tea aims to challenge exclusivity in the art scene, believing that art should reach people rather than the reverse.