Updated April 2026
The Human Rights Greenhouse has been relocated to the corner of Edgware Road and Sussex Gardens, where visitors can also experience Helter Skelter: The Garden, an immersive installation created by Heywood & Condie that reimagines the space as a striking contemporary landscape.
First published December 2024
In a compelling tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a striking new public artwork has been unveiled on the Hyde Park Estate to coincide with Human Rights Day on 10 December 2024. Created by celebrated horticultural installation artist Tony Heywood, who has spent 40 years as the Hyde Park Estate gardener, the ‘Human Rights Greenhouse’ offers a thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s shared values.
Unveiled by Ian Hislop, editor of Private Eye, and Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council, this innovative installation is a bold addition to the Hyde Park Estate. The Human Rights Greenhouse’s vibrant, pop art-style exterior displays the 30 articles of the UDHR, inviting visitors to reflect on their enduring relevance. Inside, two precariously balanced boulders by pioneering stone artist Adrian Gray serve as a metaphor for the fragility of human rights and the natural world.
It is a fantastic sculpture that can be enjoyed both by the local community and visitors alike. I hope that this installation will be a place of reflection and a source of inspiration that will both educate and raise awareness about the importance of human rights. This greenhouse is an important reminder that we can all do more, and that we should not turn a blind eye to injustice when we see it in our communities or around the world.
Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster City Council
Left to right: Chris Gunness, Ian Hislop, Adam Hug © Igor Emmerich
Left to right: Tony Heywood, Adrian Gray © Igor Emmerich
The greenhouse to a horticulturalist is the equivalent of a temple, it's a place of nurture and care. In the centre are the two large monoliths threatening the greenhouse itself. The idea is that the Earth is in balance; if they should fall, then there is no humanity.
Tony Heywood, horticultural installation artist
The installation also incorporates an educational element. A nearby plaque features a QR code linking to resources from the UN Office of Human Rights, including a powerful video of actress Miriam Margolyes reading the full text of the UDHR.
Miriam Margoyles reads the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The Human Rights Greenhouse, supported by journalist and campaigner Chris Gunness through his Myanmar Accountability Project, aims to inspire schools, colleges, and community groups to engage with the sculpture and its message.
This initiative is not only a celebration of human rights but also a call to action – encouraging everyone to reflect on their role in fostering a just and equitable society. The Human Rights Greenhouse stands as both an artistic masterpiece and a beacon of hope, reminding us that the balance of humanity rests in our hands.
Don’t miss this inspiring piece – visit the Hyde Park Estate to see it in person and engage with its message of resilience, reflection and rights.
My hope is that schools, colleges, community organisations, faith-based groups and others will visit the site, be inspired by the work and explore the very rich information pack on offer.
Chris Gunness, journalist and campaigner
