MK City Council announce unveiling date for new community artwork in Oakgrove area of city

Residents and visitors have been invited by Milton Keynes City Council for the unveiling of a new public artwork in the Oakgrove area in the city.

An event will be held in an area alongside the River Ouzel in Oakgrove on 4 June, from 5–7pm, to celebrate the opening of Nobody Lives by the Grid.

The sculpture is a major new public artwork by Ivan Morison, developed with long-term collaborator Heather Peak and commissioned by Milton Keynes City Council in partnership with The Parks Trust.

The special event will bring people together to explore the installation alongside its riverside setting. Shaped by ideas and input from the local community, working in close collaboration with Oakgrove Primary School, the artwork reflects the community and the local natural environment, creating a shared space for everyone to connect, pause and experience the landscape in a new way.

MK City Council described the new permanent installation as featuing a series of striking bronze sculptures inspired by everyday forms. It explores themes of community, ecology and imagination, while encouraging reflection on how public spaces can be shared and enjoyed.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Jane Carr, said, “I’m looking forward to seeing people come together to celebrate this new artwork. Nobody Lives by the Grid has been shaped by the community and creates a welcoming and inclusive space where people can meet, spend time and enjoy being outdoors. It’s a brilliant example of how art can bring communities together and enhance our public spaces.”

Nobody Lives by the Grid will join more than 270 public artworks across Milton Keynes, reflecting the city’s long-term commitment to commissioning public art.