The Barbican Muse, Public sculpture at Barbican Centre, London, England
The Barbican Muse is a gilded fiberglass sculpture mounted on the exterior of the Barbican Centre in the City of London. The female figure holds the classical theater masks of tragedy and comedy and measures approximately 6 meters in length.
Matthew Spender created this illuminated work in 1994 as part of a refurbishment project at the Barbican Centre directed by architect Theo Crosby. It emerged during a period when the complex was updating its appearance and visitor facilities.
The figure displays the classical masks of tragedy and comedy, referencing the theatrical traditions that define the Barbican Centre. The gilded surface emphasizes the connection to the performing arts that the building celebrates.
The sculpture sits near the Silk Street entrance and serves as a visual landmark for visitors arriving from Moorgate Station. Its illumination is especially visible during evening hours and helps guide people toward the main building areas.
The work appears to float against the wall with an internal glow, creating a striking visual contrast with the raw concrete brutalism surrounding it. This floating quality makes it a delicate and unexpected element within the complex's heavy architectural forms.
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