This June, Mayfair will be transformed into an outdoor gallery with new artwork displayed on its iconic streets as the Mayfair Sculpture Trail, a Mayfair Art Weekend collaboration with Art in Mayfair, returns for the second year running. The month-long outdoor art exhibition sees renowned local galleries present sculptures by leading international artists beyond their walls in the capital’s most famous art district.
From the shopping avenues of Old Bond Street, New Bond Street and Burlington Arcade to the majestic green spaces at Grosvenor Square, the Mayfair Sculpture Trail will take the visitor on a journey of contemporary art from across the globe. Visitors can take a self-guided tour using the SMARTIFY App, scanning the sculptures as they go to learn more about the story behind each piece. The clever technology allows users to simply hold their phone up to a sculpture to access information and an audio guide, creating a gallery experience outdoors.
As the UK comes further out of lockdown, the Mayfair Sculpture Trail will offer people a chance to reconnect with art and culture in the open air while exploring London’s shopping and cultural heartland. This year’s sculptures focus on the theme of humanity and the human body is displayed in innovative and eye-catching ways by the international artists.
Sculpture highlights include: ‘Alien 2’ on New Bond Street by British artist David Bruer-Weil portraying his belief that every human is a fallen angel in some sense; ‘Ecstasy’ on Grosvenor Square, a self-portrait by Turkish artist Hande Şekerciler; and a work by Julian Opie who has a solo exhibition concurrently at 22 Cork Street.
Opera Gallery is presenting three sculptures including a work by South Korean artist Seo Young-Deok. The artist has captivated audiences by producing life-size, hyper-realistic sculptures of the human body made with welded iron or stainless steel chains using the parts from bicycles and industrial machinery.
The full trail will be revealed to the public on 2 June. To walk the trail download the SMARTIFY App here.