London's Artist's Garden faces closure as TfL refuses to renew lease
The Artist's Garden, the world's only public sculpture park dedicated to female artists, is at risk of closure after Places for London, TfL's property arm, declined to renew its license beyond October 1. Founded by Claire Mander in 2021 on a disused roof terrace at Temple station, the garden has hosted 18 major commissions by women artists and attracted 100,000 visitors annually. Mander, director of theColab, claims the site may be repurposed for commercial VIP events. Artists including Lakwena Maciver, Florence Peake, and Linder Sterling have voiced support, with Sterling's work 'She Is Here' becoming a rallying cry. A petition and legal challenge are underway.
Key facts
- Artist's Garden is the world's only public sculpture park devoted to female artists
- Opened in October 2021 on a roof terrace at Temple underground station
- License to occupy the site expires on October 1 and will not be renewed
- Places for London cites essential repair and safety works as reason
- Claire Mander disputes the scope of repairs, suspects commercial redevelopment
- Garden has hosted 18 major works by women artists and 100,000 visitors per year
- Artists include Lakwena Maciver, Florence Peake, Adeline de Monseignat, Alice Wilson, Linder Sterling
- Campaign and petition launched to save the garden
Entities
Artists
- Claire Mander
- Lakwena Maciver
- Florence Peake
- Adeline de Monseignat
- Alice Wilson
- Linder Sterling
- Alexandra Hodby
- Countess of Arundel
Institutions
- theColab
- Artist's Garden
- Places for London
- Transport for London
- Westminster City Council
- Courtauld Institute
- Yorkshire Sculpture Park
- Art UK
- Temple station
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Temple
- Thames
- London Eye
- Victoria Embankment
- New York
- High Line