Holly Hendry in conversation with Claire Mander

'Transforming Public Space, Sculpturally' is a conversation between Holly Hendry and Claire Mander, leading commissioner of theCOLAB. They will discuss the sculptural transformation of public space in the context of The Artist's Garden and Hendry's large scale installation 'Slackwater'. The event will begin at Hendry's work at The Artist's Garden before moving to RSA House. 

Hendry will talk about the conception and execution of 'Slackwater', her first public commission in London and her most expansive to date. Curated by Claire Mander for The Artist’s Garden, this site-specific work occupies the vast terrace on the roof of Temple Underground station. The project continues theCoLAB’s dedication to commissioning innovative contemporary installations by women artists within this unique, half-acre site. The Artist’s Garden has been realised in close partnership with Westminster City Council since 2021.

'Slackwater' emerges as an immense sculptural entanglement that weaves together the watery history of its riverside location, with references to the abstract rhythms of the Thames and liquid movements within the human body. In conceiving the work, Hendry was drawn to changes in the pattern of the river’s surface; after slackwater, when an incoming tide meets the fluvial flow, water stills, and then eddies – whirlpooling against the main direction of the flow – before pursuing its course upstream.

The event is ticketed. Pay what you can tickets here –

5pm: Meet at The Artist’s Garden to view Slackwater
6.15pm: Doors open at the Royal Society of Arts
6.30pm: Talk begins
7.30pm: Drinks available in the RSA Bar