The rooftop sculpture garden at Temple Station in London is presenting ‘Mary, Mary’, an exhibition dedicated to female artists, inspired by an 18th-century nursery rhyme. The show features works by renowned women sculptors, designed to challenge historical narratives and celebrate assertive femininity. Open until September 2025, the exhibition provides an interactive and thought-provoking experience connecting art with historical context.
London’s Temple Station rooftop is home to the world’s first public sculpture garden dedicated to female artists, hosting a new autumn exhibition named ‘Mary, Mary’. This outdoor art show draws inspiration from the 18th-century nursery rhyme, focusing on how assertive women have been portrayed negatively throughout history. The garden, established on the former grounds of Lord and Lady Arundel’s 17th-century gardens, features site-specific installations from both emerging and established women sculptors globally. Artists such as Rong Bao, Candida Powell-Williams, Alice Wilson, Lucy Gregory, L R Vandy, and Virginia Overton contribute innovative works that challenge the historical and architectural narratives of the space. Notable pieces include Bao’s ‘Yellow Path’, which integrates Braille poetry, Wilson’s towering ‘Savoy’, and Gregory’s kinetic creation ‘It’s All Kicking Off’, which fosters interaction among viewers. Powell-Williams’ piece, ‘The Mist’, reinterprets fountain design on a moving chariot, while Overton’s installation creates sound using recycled materials. Although some works have been exhibited previously, each has been tailored to its new setting in the Artist’s Garden, driven by theCOLAB since 2021. ‘Mary, Mary’ is open to the public until September 2025.
The Artist’s Garden at Temple Station signifies a cultural milestone as the first public sculpture garden that celebrates women’s contributions to art. It occupies a site historically significant for its ties to early English classical sculpture. The current exhibition, ‘Mary, Mary’, serves to reinterpret female representation through art, addressing historical biases against assertive women. Featuring both new commissions and adapted works, the exhibition uses the nursery rhyme as a thematic foundation to inspire creativity and dialogue among artists and visitors.
‘Mary, Mary’ showcases a variety of captivating sculptures that promote female artistry and challenge societal narratives around women’s roles. By bringing together innovative works from diverse artists, it not only honours women creators but also reclaims public space for artistic expression. This exhibition is part of an ongoing effort to create visibility and appreciation for women in the arts, inviting public interaction and reflection.
Original Source: thespaces.com