Artist, Lakwena Maciver says, “The name Temple, given to the group of buildings in London which stands on land formerly belonging to the Knights Templar, is overshadowed by its now predominantly secular surroundings. But the concept of a temple - a place where heaven and earth meet - remains deeply relevant. They say that the Garden of Eden was the first temple - the story goes that we were cast out of the Garden, and ever since then we have been longing to find our way back. This idea of a subconscious yearning for paradise sits in stark contrast to the highly colonised, concrete environment that now surrounds Temple Station.”
Lakwena Maciver (b. London 1986), The Artist’s Garden, 2021, co-commission with 180 Studios.
The Artist’s Garden has transformed a 1400sqm hidden and neglected roof terrace above Temple tube station into a place for the public to experience large-scale life affirming artistic interventions and the Women’s Work exhibition programme.
Bible Passage: Genesis 2:4 - 3:24
My Big Story Bible: Page 4 & 8