Barbican to unveil monumental public commission by Ibrahim Mahama
Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama's ‘Purple Hibiscus’ to transform Barbican's Lakeside Terrace.

Ibrahim Mahama, Purple Hibiscus, 2023- 24. Courtesy Ibrahim Mahama, Red Clay Tamale, Barbican Centre, London and White Cube.
The Barbican is set to unveil its latest monumental public commission by Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, marking his first large-scale presentation in the UK. Opening in April 2024, the transformative artwork will adorn the Barbican's Lakeside Terrace, enveloping the iconic brutalist structure with approximately 2000 square metres of intricately woven cloth. Named Purple Hibiscus after Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel, the ambitious commission is a collaborative effort with craftspeople from Tamale, Ghana, incorporating approximately 100 'batakaris' – traditional robes imbued with the lineage and power of Northern Ghanaian communities.

Ibrahim Mahama, Purple Hibiscus, 2023- 24. Courtesy Ibrahim Mahama, Red Clay Tamale, Barbican Centre, London and White Cube.
Mahama's engagement with local economies and communities is at the forefront of his practice, reflected in the vibrant hues and intricate details of Purple Hibiscus. By weaving together historical memories embedded in textiles, Mahama seeks to amplify the voices and experiences of marginalised communities. The monumental commission gains additional resonance within the Barbican's historical context, standing on the former site of Cripplegate parish and reflecting on the area's significance as a hub for cloth trade.
Grounded in the belief that art should be accessible to all, Mahama's practice extends beyond the confines of the art market, with initiatives like the Red Clay Studio and Savannah Centre for Contemporary Art in Tamale, Ghana, providing vital social infrastructure for arts education and exhibition-making. Through Purple Hibiscus, Mahama invites audiences to engage in dialogue about collective labour, cultural heritage, and the transformative power of art within public spaces.
Purple Hibiscus is part of the Barbican Art Gallery's current exhibition, Unravel: The Power & Politics of Textiles in Art , a major group exhibition, showcasing artists use of textiles to communicate ideas about power, resistance and survival.
Click here for a visual preview.
Date: 10 April – 18 August 2024. Location: Barbican Lakeside Terrace. Price: Free Website: barbican.org.uk.
This spring and summer, London’s art world is turning its focus towards impact as well as inspiration. A series of high-profile exhibitions and auctions across the city are supporting vital causes—from mental health and food poverty to children affected by war and the conservation of endangered animals…
A Wound with Teeth is a 50-minute excerpt from the upcoming full-length work Lo, premiering in 2026. Phantom is a 20-minute piece first created under pandemic restrictions and filmed in 2021; this performance marks its stage debut…
The timing of this exhibition could not be better. At the end of a long winter, and egging on London’s reluctant spring, the Saatchi Gallery brings us FLOWERS in full bloom…
What’s On in London This Week: Discover rooftop games at Roof East, cherry blossoms at the Horniman Gardens, and Easter fun at Hampton Court Palace. Plus, catch Loraine James live, Dear England at the National Theatre, and jazz nights at Ladbroke Hall…
London is set to showcase a rich and varied programme of art exhibitions this May. Here is our guide to the art exhibitions to watch out for in London in May…
With summer around the corner, what better way to spend a sunny day than by enjoying art, culture, and a bit of al fresco dining? Whether you’re looking for a peaceful spot to reflect on an exhibition or simply want to enjoy a light meal in the fresh air, here’s our guide to some of the best museum and gallery cafés with outdoor terraces in London….
Serpentine, in partnership with the Edinburgh Art Festival, presents Lewis Walker’s world premiere of Bornsick, a groundbreaking new performance this May at Round Chapel, London…
As summer arrives in London, there’s no better time to embrace the city’s vibrant outdoor dining scene. Here is our guide to the best outdoor terraces to visit in London in 2025 for an unforgettable al fresco experience…
Supported by Burberry, the redesigned gallery will spotlight the museum’s world-class fashion collection with immersive displays and a dynamic public programme…
The National Gallery is offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for one lucky individual to sleep surrounded by world-class art as the Gallery prepares to reopen the transformed Sainsbury Wing. On Friday 9 May 2025, the first-ever overnight guest will experience the magic of the gallery at night, with a bed placed within view of iconic masterpieces…
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025 · Gabriel Moses: Selah · Eileen Perrier: A Thousand Small Stories · Dianne Minnicucci: Belonging and Beyond · Linder: Danger Came Smiling · The Face Magazine: Culture Shift · Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World · Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation Prize 2025 · Photo London 2025 · Taylor Wessing Photo Portrait Prize · Nature Study: Ecology and the Contemporary Photobook · Flowers – Flora in Contemporary Art & Cultur…
This April, Ladbroke Hall’s renowned Friday Jazz & Dinner series returns, showcasing an impressive roster of artists at its Sunbeam Theatre. Each evening pairs exceptional live jazz with a carefully crafted menu from the award-winning Pollini restaurant…
Holly Blakey: A Wound with Teeth & Phantom · Kit de Waal: The Best of Everything · Skatepark Mette Ingvartsen · Spring Plant Fair 2025 · Hampton Court Palace Tulip Festival 2025 · Loraine James – Three-Day Residency · Jan Lisiecki Plays Beethoven · Carmen at The Royal Opera House · Cartier Exhibition · The Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making · Nora Turato: pool7 · Amoako Boafo: I Do Not Come to You by Chance · Bill Albertini: Baroque-O-Vision Redux…
Tate Britain has opened the largest UK survey exhibition to date of British Contemporary Artist Ed Atkins (b. Oxford, 1982) featuring works from the last 15 years. Atkins is best known for his computer-generated videos and animations which form the core of his work…
The RWC Experiences programme is designed for those who want to take their matchday to the next level. Whether it’s private suites with luxury dining, all-day festival-style celebrations, or exclusive pre-match lounges…
Our first trip to Art Basel Hong Kong was an unforgettable experience, solidifying, in our opinion, its position as one of Asia’s leading art fairs.From 28 - 30 March 2025, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre hosted 240 galleries from 42 countries, offering an impressive range of global and regional artistic expressions…
Peter Bellerby is the founder of Bellerby & Co. Globemakers, a company renowned for its exquisite hand-crafted globes. Established in 2010, the company specialises in meticulously designed pieces that showcase exceptional craftsmanship, positioning Bellerby & Co. as a leader in the globe-making industry…
Robyn Orlin had her first encounter with the rickshaw drivers of Durban at the young age of five or six, an experience that left such a deep impression on her that she later sought to learn more about their fate. Rickshaws were first introduced to Durban in 1892…
Murder She Didn’t Write is misbehaviour live on stage peppered with self-awareness and unbelievably good writing. This isn't a fad, this isn't sloppy - it’s naughty and scathingly witty…
TOZI, derived from the affectionate Venetian slang for “a close-knit group of friends,” is the brainchild of an Italian trio that met while opening Shoreditch House under the Soho House Group. In 2013, Chef Maurilio Molteni, fresh from his time as Head Chef at Shoreditch House and developing the menu at Cecconi’s, opened the first TOZI restaurant in London…
Pioneering choreographer Merce Cunningham’s work will “forever” be revered. The Van Cleef & Arpels Dance Reflections festival has brought two of his works back to life performed by the Lyon Opera Ballet at Sadlers’ Wells…
