London Art Installations: Street Murals, Theatre Design, and Public Art Across the City

When you think of London art installations, temporary or permanent artworks displayed in public spaces across the city, often blending visual storytelling with urban environments. Also known as public art, these pieces turn sidewalks, walls, and even abandoned buildings into open-air galleries. This isn’t just about pretty pictures—it’s about voices you can’t ignore. From the raw energy of a Peckham mural telling a migrant’s story to the intricate costumes at the V&A that bring Shakespeare to life, London’s art installations are where culture, politics, and creativity collide.

These installations don’t live in silence. They’re tied to street art London, graffiti, murals, and stencil work that transforms neighborhoods into living canvases, often created without permission but celebrated by the public. The London Mural Festival, an annual event that brings together local and international artists to paint over 100 new murals across the city. is a prime example—each year, it reshapes entire blocks in Hackney, Brixton, and Tower Hamlets. Then there’s theatre design exhibits, curated displays of costumes, sets, and lighting designs from West End productions, showing how storytelling happens not just on stage but in the objects that surround it. These aren’t just props—they’re art pieces that tell you who the characters are before they even speak.

What makes London’s scene different? It’s not just the scale—it’s the access. You don’t need a ticket to see a mural. You don’t need to book months ahead to walk past a sculpture in St James’s Park. These installations are meant to be stumbled upon, photographed, debated, and lived with. They respond to current events, local history, and the people who pass by every day. A mural in Whitechapel might honor a community’s roots. A set design at the Design Museum might reveal how a director imagined a dystopian future. And yes, some of them vanish after a few weeks—making the experience even more urgent.

What you’ll find below is a curated look at the most powerful, visible, and meaningful art installations you can experience right now in London. From the biggest annual festivals to quiet, overlooked pieces tucked into alleyways, these posts show you where to go, what to look for, and why it matters. No fluff. Just real art, in real places, made by real people.