Female artists garden told to vacate roof terrace

A free public sculpture space dedicated to the work of female artists has been told to vacate its central London site.

The Artist's Garden on the roof of Temple Station has been told by owner Places for London, Transport for London's commercial property arm, to move out so that the area can be assessed for potential repairs.

Alice Walters, deputy director at theCOLAB, the charity that organises art for the garden, said she was worried the project would be "gone for good" after it moved out.

Westminster City Council, which manages the terrace space, said it was supportive of The Artist's Garden and would work with all parties involved to find a solution.

The sculpture garden, which has existed for five years on the roof, allows visitors to sit with, touch and interact with art.

Walters said: "We welcome over 100,000 visitors here each year completely for free.

"We were told that Places for London would like us to vacate the site entirely by 1 October.

"They've cited the need to carry out essential safety repairs, but once a project like this is gone, it's gone for good and it's not coming back."

Places for London said that the space was legally protected and would always remain publicly accessible.

It added that while it was developing future plans for the terrace at Temple, the organisation was working with the council and stakeholders to explore alternative nearby locations nearby for The Artist's Garden.

Lakwena Maciver exhibited an installation at The Artist's Garden when it opened in 2021.

She said: "I was the first ever artist to exhibit here and it was a takeover of the whole roof terrace with a tiled mosaic.

"For me it was about a return to public space post-lockdown.

"It's just really important to have places that are open access that anyone can come to that you don't have to pay for or book - it's really important that we keep these types of spaces."

Visitors to the sculpture garden told BBC London it was a "gorgeous" place to visit in the capital.

One woman said: It's wonderful to have it in the heart of the city, surrounded by buildings and the river. Just to have this immersive art space, it's great."

Another added: "It's a nice, peaceful place to come, just in the middle of the city. It's just beautiful and there's loads of seating. It's just gorgeous."

Lisa Vandy, who has exhibited two sculptures in the garden, said the site promoted visibility.

"I don't remember in my childhood ever seeing someone like me or their work, so it's [about] visibility, it's cultural importance, it's educational importance. This really has to stay here."

A spokesperson for Places for London said they recognised how the "much-loved" garden had contributed to "artists, young people and the local community".

"However, the terrace and station roof may now require essential repair and safety works, and the space needs to be cleared for the assessment of the extent of the works required," they said.

Places for London said any future proposals for the terrace would protect public access and support the area's cultural character.

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