Richard Wilson Unveils 77-Ton Public Sculpture at Heathrow Airport

Twenty million passengers every year will see Richard Wilson’s Slipstream, unveiled at Heathrow airport this morning. Weighing 77 tons and measuring 78 meters, the monumental piece of public art will greet visitors in the airport’s new Terminal 2, which will be inaugurated by the Queen on June 23.

Slipstream is supported by four structural columns and hovers 18 meters high. Wilson’s largest piece to date, the abstract work is inspired by speed and movement. “Slipstream is a metaphor for travel,” says the artist, “it is a time-based work that responds to its location.”