The Barbican Center's Sculpture Court will be transformed next spring by an extraordinary installation featuring a massive circular pavilion made of plant-covered clay. This groundbreaking work will mark the first major UK public commission by renowned Colombian artist Delcy Morelos, representing a significant milestone in the venue's artistic programming.
Morelos has designed what she describes as her most ambitious outdoor work to date for the prestigious London venue. The installation will feature an oval-shaped pavilion constructed from clay, soil, fragrant spices, and various plant materials, spanning approximately 24 meters in circumference. The structure will create an immersive experience that visitors can explore both inside and around its perimeter.
The pavilion's design centers around a tall circular wall that will dominate the Sculpture Court space. Visitors will be able to enter through designated entrances and walk inside the structure, experiencing the work from within. The wall itself will be hollow, featuring a long, curving corridor that runs through one side, allowing people to move through the actual structure of the artwork. The overall concept has been compared to a modern interpretation of Stonehenge, but constructed entirely from clay and covered with living vegetation.
According to the planning application details, Morelos' unique artistic worldview draws heavily from ancestral knowledge traditions of South America. This cultural perspective will be placed in direct dialogue with the utopian, humanist values that form the foundation of the Barbican Estate's architectural philosophy. The installation aims to crystallize this cultural conversation through the symbolic relationship between natural soil and industrial cement, representing the intersection of organic and constructed environments.
The installation will open to the public on May 15, 2026, and admission will be completely free for all visitors. This commission represents the first large-scale artistic installation to occupy the Sculpture Court in over a decade, marking a significant return of major outdoor art installations to this important cultural space. The work promises to create a visually impressive landmark that will transform how visitors experience the Barbican's outdoor areas while engaging with themes of nature, culture, and urban environment.
