Although we’ve sorely missed visiting any new art exhibitions over the last few months, outdoor sculptures, installations and gardens have offered a welcome dose of culture beyond the gallery walls. As a number of institutions and independents across the UK prepare to reopen to the public, we take a look at some of the best permanent and temporary collections to view outside in the meantime.

Antony Gormley - Quantum Cloud. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo by Emily Lovell. Richard Wilson - A Slice of Reality. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo by Vassilis Skopelitis.

The Line

As London’s first dedicated public art walk, The Line connects culture and nature within an urban landscape. Covering a route of three miles, its path is dotted with a series of impressive sculptures by a host of leading international artists including Antony Gormley and Richard Wilson. Following the Greenwich Meridian, the total itinerary runs between North Greenwich and Stratford and take approximately three hours to complete by foot.

*Image courtesy of the estate of Khadija Saye, photo by Jeff Moore.*

Khadija Saye: in this space we breathe at 236 Westbourne Grove

In this space is a photography installation by the late British-Gambian artist Khadija Saye, who tragically died in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire. Originally shown at the Diaspora Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale, the photographs are displayed as nine large silkscreen prints that depict traditional Gambian spiritual practices. The collection of images is being shown as part of Breath Is Invisible, a new public art series in London’s Notting Hill. This installation is the first of three site-specific exhibitions which aim to address inequality and social injustice.

Until 7th August 2020.

*Image courtesy of the artist and Lisson Gallery, photo by Pete Huggins.*

Anish Kapoor at Houghton House

Postponed from its original start date in March earlier this year, Anish Kapoor’s latest exhibition has now opened at Houghton House in Norfolk. Looking back at his body of work from the past 40 years, the classical site features 24 sculptures from the artist across its grounds, making it his largest UK exhibition of outdoor artworks to date. Major works on display include a series of curved marble sculptures shown alongside Kapoor’s renowned Sky Mirror, a circular mirrored installation that reflects its surroundings.

Until 1st November 2020.

*Image courtesy of Barbara Hepworth Museum, photo by Matt Brown.*

Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden

Nestled along the coast of St Ives in Cornwall, the eponymous museum and garden of 20th-century sculptor Barbara Hepworth is host to the largest permanent collection of the artist’s work. Hepworth’s former home, studios and garden feature a number of bronze, stone and wooden sculptures which remain in their original placements, along with selected paintings and drawings. The museum and garden is set to reopen on the 27th July.

*Nancy Rubins - Crocodylius Philodendrus. Image courtesy of the artist and Gagosian, photo by Lucy Dawkins.*

Sculpture in the City

Entering into its ninth edition, Sculpture in the City is an annual event that sees London’s historical Square Mile transformed into an immersive art space. Set against the stern architectural backdrop of the city’s financial district, a select line-up of artists from around the world offer large-scale artworks sat in contrast to their towering, glass surroundings. This year’s exhibition features 19 sculptures from names including Korean sculptor Do Ho Suh and American installation artist Nancy Rubin.

*Rebecca Warren - Three. Image courtesy of The Hepworth Wakefield, photo by Nick Singleton.*

The Hepworth Wakefield Garden

Although The Hepworth Wakefield remains closed until August, the Yorkshire gallery’s sculpture garden is still fully accessible. Designed by landscape architect Tom Stuart-Smith, the outdoor space features impressive horticultural displays planted next to sculptural artwork from renowned artists including Lynn Chadwick, Sir Michael Craig-Martin, Barbara Hepworth and Rebecca Warren.