Giant great ape installed on Society’s Terrace

As part of a wider call for conversations about climate action and deforestation, internationally renowned Australian artist Lisa Roet has installed a 13m (43ft) sculpture of a great ape on the Terrace at the Society.

Timed to coincide with the World Design Congress (taking place in London 9-10 September) and the runup to COP 30 (taking place in November in Belém, Brazil), the installation will greet the public until 14 September.

Lisa’s largescale inflatable sculptures, which have appeared on iconic buildings worldwide, interrogate human–ape relationships and serve as a powerful reminder that protecting great apes means safeguarding the tropical forests that regulate our planet’s climate.

Through her practice which integrates scientific research, sustainability and circular design principles, Lisa’s work highlights the role of public art in raising awareness about ecological and environmental issues. Over the past three decades, she has formed enduring collaborations with leading scientists, conservationists and institutions across the globe.

On her work, Lisa commented: “Thirty years ago, when I spoke about environmental degradation, journalists looked away. Today, contemporary art embraces activism. My sculptures are a call to protect our forests. Great apes are umbrella species: protect the ape and you protect the forest.”

Accompanying the Terrace installation is a photography exhibition in the Society’s Pavilion, open until 14 September. You can also join us for an inspiring evening at the Society next Wednesday, 10 September, to hear from Lisa and other leading voices in art, design and sustainability exploring how textiles can help re-stitch our fractured relationship with the planet.