‘The Garden of Floating Words’ first commissioned for the 2017 Canary Wharf Winter Lights Festival, London. It is currently part of Sculpture in the City’s 10th Edition, and has been purchased to remain on permanent display at 70 St Mary Axe, London.

‘The Garden of Floating Words’ is a neon poem that appears to be floating in the darkness from within the foliage of the garden. During the daytime, the words are revealed to be on tall rectangular clear acrylic stands, their structure echoing the tall glass buildings surrounding the garden space, but at night the words alone become the main feature. Using neon, a light source traditionally associated with the city, Artesero creates something ephemeral to make a space for quiet contemplation within the busy complex.

Much of Artesero’s poetry addresses themes of transience, the nature of happiness and hope, and here is no different. This thoughtful poem reflects the transience of the apparently floating words and their place in the garden.

Photography at Canary Wharf by Stephen Iles, at Sculpture in the City by Nick Turpin.