An artist’s unique contribution to society is to inspire new perspectives – to ask questions that have been forgotten or unaddressed, to generate an emotion or thought that leaves the viewer in a more reflective or engaged state. There are few artists who are able to achieve this successfully in public space today. It is a big ask to show new art in the contested setting of contemporary cities and unite millions of viewers in a site-specific immersive experience, which is at once unique and universal.
I had the privilege to work on one such rare project.
Yellow Orange Hermit (2024) by Ugo Rondinone is a monumental sculpture, standing five-metres talk and weighing 1600kg, in the heart of Paddington Square, central London’s new urban destination designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop. It is one of three permanent public artworks curated by Lacuna and represents a major investment in the city’s public realm by site developer Great Western Developments and development manager Sellar.
The making of Yellow Orange Hermit (2024) by Ugo Rondinone. Video by Tapio Snellman.
Conceived from limestone fragments the artist discovered during his nature walks, the freestanding sculpture is cast in bronze after scans of the friable material were reconfigured – with the help of digital tools – as solid three-dimensional forms. The work incorporates stone’s natural ancient origins in a contemporary context; addressing the dual reflection between the inner self and the natural world, and offers a space for thoughtful respite and reflection at one of London’s busiest intersections.
Located on a new pedestrian path and flanked by London’s old and new architecture, the artwork transcends physical and metaphysical pasts, presents and possibilities. Two years after its launch, it has become a beloved meeting place, contemporary art destination and emotional focal point for the millions of visitors travelling each year between Praed Street – home to St Mary’s Hospital – and Paddington Station – central London’s major transport hub.
The Paddington Square Public Art Programme was developed in the framework of Section 106: a compulsory urban planning requirement in the UK, which supports the realisation of new public artworks. Curated by Lacuna, it was produced in collaboration with the client group, St. Mary’s Hospital, local businesses and residential associations, and with strong engagement from Westminster City Council.
Lacuna’s curatorial vision for The Paddington Square Public Art Programme was to commission new site-specific artworks by critically acclaimed contemporary artists with no prior permanent projects in London’s built environment.
Ugo Rondinone, Yellow Orange Hermit, 2024. PSQ, London. Photos Nick Turpin. Courtesy Artist/Sadie Coles, PSQ.
Yellow Orange Hermit is Rondinone’s first permanent public artwork in London and a remarkable case-study for ‘good’ public art, providing a beautiful destination for reflection and conversation about contemporary art and urban life.
Stay tuned for more Reflections on the PSQ Public Art Programme.
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YELLOW ORANGE HERMIT, 2024
Five-metres tall, 1600 kg
Bronze, custom-paint
Artwork by Ugo Rondinone
Permanent Public Art Commission
Paddington Square, London
Commissioned by Great Western Developments
Curated by Lacuna
Fabrication: Rondinone Studio
Engineering: Price and Myers
Installation: M-Tec Fine Art
Produced with assistance from Sadie Coles, London
PADDINGTON SQUARE
Commissioned by Great Western Developments
Masterplan and Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Public Art by Lacuna
AJN worked with Stella Ioannou, Lacuna’s Founder and Director, as the curatorial team of the PSQ Public Art Programme.
