Saturday 12 July 2025
£35. Students and online tickets are free

What is the place of sculpture in the 21st century? In an era which has seen government funding for the arts hit record lows, the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence in art and culture, the destruction of historic statues around the globe, and a crisis in art education, what is the fate of this medium that has been an integral part of human creativity for milenia.

This one-day symposium at Messums West, seeks to open a conversation around where sculpture stands in the 2020s and what the future might hold for it as the century progresses. We have invited leading artists, makers, curators, critics, and collectors to discuss the continuing relevance of sculpture today, and how the medium is adapting in and influencing an ever-changing world. In talks and panel discussions, we will consider the place of contemporary sculpture in our public spaces and institutions, the influence of new making practices and the impact of the climate crisis on the medium (and vice versa); as well as the nature of collecting sculpture, and its importance to our lives. Key to the discussions will be a consideration of permanence and ephemerality in modern sculpture, and the importance of materiality.

The day will be divided into two sections – the first considering new making practices in conversation with ancient traditions and the challenges and opportunities posed by modern technology; the second thinking about collecting and display, both in a domestic and institutional context, and the role sculpture plays in society at large.

A link to access the talk will be emailed to those booking an online ticket before the event.