Sculpture in the City returns to the City of London with major new works by Ai Weiwei, Andrew Sabin, and Jane and Louise Wilson

Sculpture in the City returns to the heart of London’s Square Mile for its 14th edition on 16 July 2025, unveiling a new series of public artworks that transform the urban landscape into an open-air gallery. Delivered by the City of London Corporation in collaboration with cultural studio LACUNA, this year’s edition continues to showcase the power of contemporary art to reflect, disrupt and reframe the experience of city life. Among the headline commissions are new sculptures by Ai Weiwei, Andrew Sabin, and Jane and Louise Wilson, each offering bold responses to place, history and the evolving relationship between nature and the built environment.

© Ai Weiwei Studio. Courtesy Ai Weiwei Studio, Lisson Gallery and neugerriemschneider, Berlin.

Ai Weiwei’s Roots: Palace, installed at St Botolph without Bishopsgate, anchors the programme with a deeply symbolic cast-iron sculpture formed from the roots of endangered Brazilian trees. Created using traditional “lost wax” techniques in collaboration with Brazilian artisans, the work reflects on forced migration, environmental devastation and cultural memory. Referencing the artist’s own history of exile, the sculpture evokes a sense of uprootedness and resilience, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding architecture of the City.

At The Leadenhall Building, artist duo Jane and Louise Wilson present Dendrophiles, an installation situated beneath the building’s escalators. Using 3D scans of ancient oak timbers excavated from the site of Bloomberg’s European headquarters, alongside DNA-inspired ink drawings, the work explores the fragile links between London’s ancient past and its futuristic skyline. Developed in partnership with scientific institutions in London and Copenhagen, the piece reflects on the transmission of knowledge across generations and the importance of hands-on learning, forming part of a broader dialogue continued in their nearby installation at London Mithraeum Bloomberg SPACE.

Jane and Louise Wilson, Dendrophiles

Andrew Sabin’s Looping Loop, located outside 70 St Mary Axe, introduces a playful and energetic form to the programme. Originally sculpted from margarine and then cast in brightly coloured material, the looping structure undulates with rhythm and texture, responding to the constant motion of city life. These new works join returning highlights from previous editions, such as Maya Rose Edwards’ interactive Kissing Gate and Julian Opie’s series of symmetrical portrait sculptures. With a rich programme of tours, workshops and special events running through to spring 2026, Sculpture in the City reaffirms its role as one of London’s most engaging and accessible platforms for public art.

Date: 16 July 2025 onward. Location: City of London (various outdoor sites including St Botolph without Bishopsgate, The Leadenhall Building, and 70 St Mary Axe). Price: Free. sculptureinthecity.org.uk