Holly Hendry Unveils Sinuous Sculpture Atop London Rooftop
Her first public commission in the British capital.
Holly Hendry is a British artist who is best known for creating site-specific installations and sculptures that probe into what lies beneath the surface. In the past, this approach has translated into a massive conveyer belt artwork at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, as well as a tumbling outdoor sculpture in Luxembourg, which she presented last year.
Despite being from London, the artist hasn’t been commissioned to design a public sculpture in her home town, until now. Housed at The Artist’s Garden atop the Temple Tube rooftop, Slackwater blends seamlessly with the exterior of any average building, but becomes sinuous and all the more perplexing as one walks around it. “I am really happy with the outcome [but] it is a strange moment, working quite intimately on something for so long and then it becoming a tangible presence within the public realm,” Hendry said in an interview. “I have been thinking so much about this entanglement between bodies, rhythms, waters, cities and landscapes and how to verbalize this sculpturally, so this was a moment to see this happening.”
Slackwater is certainly not the first installation to appear atop the Temple Tube rooftop, as the destination has become a hotspot for a number of artworks in the past, including a vibrant floor pattern by Lakwena Maciver. Much like her practice at-large, the latest entry “revolves around the concept of edges and moments of mapping, interruption, and continuation,” added Hendry.
The shape and direction of the sculptures are notably inspired by images of Thames water from the 19th century, including illustrated maps where fish and mythical creatures would be shown. Set in green and silver copper, the artwork whimsically blends with the London skyline and as Hendry notes, speak of “boundaries, depths, and limits – both above and below, much like the intricacies of weaving.”
The installation will be on view until September 1, 2024.
Also in London, photographer Jérôme Favre looks to subvert the image of Millwall football fans in his new photobook.
The Artist’s Garden
Temple Station Roof Terrace
London WC2R 2PH,
