The London Sculpture Week Symposium 2026, now in its third edition, offers a vibrant forum for sharing insights and engaging in critical discussions about outdoor sculpture.
This year’s programme delves into the theme of monumentalism, reinterpreting its relevance in the 21st century. No longer strictly associated with scale, permanence or authority, monumentalism is presented as a complex political and social issue. The symposium examines how contemporary sculpture navigates contested public spaces, shifting histories, and mediated experiences. Departing from traditional associations with heroism and nationalism, the event highlights systemic injustices, extractive economies, ecological challenges and migration as pivotal elements in rethinking monumentality in public spaces.
