The Chelsea Barracks sculpture trail was launched in May, 2022. About two months later it came to my attention. What a great idea I thought as I explored the finely landscaped surroundings, wandering from one evocative sculpture to another. Having temporary art installations such as this keeps a green space relevant, keeps people on their toes, regularly looking for new and happening creativity.
Chelsea Barracks is a luxury development site in the heart of posh Belgravia. It’s being hailed as London’s most coveted neighbourhood by the property developers. Who am I to argue, having very little experience of such schemes as I do. The area used to be a site for the British Army, which closed in the late 2000s. It took a while, but now luxury is all around. That would include the very stylish landscaping designed by Jo Thompson.
The developers are committed to public art, which I think is brilliant. For this particular installation they have enlisted the assistance of Marshall Murray, a company specialising in finding the perfect piece of art for a specific place. Here they have curated art that “both reflect and complement the aesthetic of their surroundings. We seek to change the way people engage with space, rather than seeing art solely as ornament”.
The current sculpture trail comprise art from Conrad Shawcross, Jason DeCaires Taylor, Barbara Myers, Jill Berelowitz and Paul Vanstone. In this post I feature some of the sculptures on show.
