The Royal Society of Sculptors and the Department for International Trade, has announced today
that Nicola Anthony is the UK artist selected for the Live Sculpture Commission for the cultural
programme of the UK at Expo 2020 Dubai (1 October 2021 – 31 March 2022).

Under the commissioning theme, ‘See Things Differently’, Anthony will create a new work inside
the Es Devlin designed UK Pavilion over ten days in November, offering visitors a front row seat to
the creative process.

The commission will feature alongside a host of talent from across the UK’s creative industries,
during ‘In the Future, How Will We Create?’, a five-day innovation themed event from 9-13th
November that will explore how creativity can tackle some of the major challenges of our time.

The programme will include a summit on the future of creativity and panel discussions with
keynote speakers and podcasts from across arts, design and media. They include Es Devlin, artist
and designer of the UK Pavilion, Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A and Martin Green CBE, the
Head of Ceremonies for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games who is now Chief
Creative Officer for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Festival UK* 2022.

Nicola Anthony was selected by an industry panel led by Clare Burnett, President of the Royal
Society of Sculptors, with Dr Paul Thompson, Vice Chancellor of the Royal College of Art (Heritage
partner of the UK Pavilion) and Dan Ramsey, Director, GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland
campaign.

Nicola Anthony said: “The sculpture is created from suspended fragments, which form a delicate
hourglass shape. I often use this shape in my sculpture to symbolise important moments and
turning points. In this work it also references the tipping point which we are fast approaching with our environment, and I hope that the audience will think about sustainability, balance, and
regeneration. The artwork also seeks to highlight the connection between present and future
actions, and how everything is interconnected in virtuous or vicious cycles. This opportunity is
meaningful for me – not only because of the honour to be selected for the UK Pavilion, but also
because the theme resonates powerfully with the soul of my artwork, and the reason why I chose
this path.”

Speaking on the selection of the artist, Clare Burnett said: “The brief for this commission called a
work that responds to the theme of “seeing things differently”. I am delighted that Nicola Anthony
has been chosen to represent the Society at Expo 2020 Dubai. Nicola weaves powerful stories
through her work which employs technology and data. For this commission suspended fragments
will form a delicate hourglass in which LED “sand” responds to real time hashtag activity. Viewed
through the hourglass, the “sand” depicts the Earth”.

Laura Faulkner OBE, UK Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai, says: “The UK has long
inspired the world through our creative industries, so we are all excited that such an
accomplished sculptor will be creating a new piece at the Pavilion. Creativity is the spark for
innovation and seeing things differently is something we will all have to do to overcome global
challenges. The Live Sculpture Commission will be an incredible addition to our cultural
programme and we can’t wait for visitors to the UK Pavilion to experience it.”

The UK Pavilion has been conceptualised and designed by Es Devlin OBE with global brand
experience specialists, Avantgarde and will showcase British innovations set to change the world,
from artificial intelligence and space technology to sustainable food and fashion. The UK’s
participation theme is ‘Innovating for a Shared Future’.