Introduction

The Folkestone Triennial is the UK's largest and most ambitious exhibition of site-specific outdoor public art. Founded in 2008 as a flagship project of Creative Folkestone (formerly Creative Foundation), the triennial transforms the entire coastal town of Folkestone, Kent, into a vibrant open-air gallery for three months every three years.

Unlike traditional biennials or triennials housed in dedicated gallery spaces, the Folkestone Triennial uses the town itself as both venue and inspiration. Internationally renowned artists are commissioned to create new works that respond to Folkestone's unique geography, history, and socio-cultural landscape, with artworks appearing in unexpected locations throughout the town's streets, harbor, beaches, and historic buildings.

What distinguishes the Folkestone Triennial is its deep engagement with the local community and urban context. Many commissioned works directly address Folkestone's complex identity as a historically significant port, its periods of economic decline, and its ongoing cultural regeneration. The result is a thought-provoking dialogue between contemporary art, public space, and civic life.

Narrative & Themes

Each edition of the Folkestone Triennial is organized around a central theme that provides a conceptual framework for commissioned artists while reflecting aspects of the town's identity, challenges, or aspirations. These themes have ranged from explorations of locality and migration to investigations of urban mythology and environmental concerns.

The triennial consistently engages with Folkestone's distinctive characteristics: its position as a border town (historically a gateway to continental Europe), its relationship with the sea, its architectural heritage, and its ongoing process of social and economic transformation. Artists are encouraged to create works that engage with these elements while addressing universal themes relevant to contemporary society.

For the 2025 edition, curator Sorcha Carey has chosen the theme "How Lies the Land?" which will explore the layers of history embedded in Folkestone's geography, its deep past, shifting borders, and evolving landscape. The exhibition invites audiences to experience the town in new ways through artworks that engage with its earth, ecosystem, and geopolitics.

History & Context

The Folkestone Triennial was established in 2008 as part of a broader cultural regeneration initiative for the town of Folkestone. It was conceived by the Creative Foundation (now Creative Folkestone), a charity established by philanthropist Roger De Haan to revitalize the town through arts and creative industries after decades of economic decline following the diminishment of its ferry port and tourism industry.

The inaugural edition in 2008, titled "Tales of Time and Space," established the triennial's ambitious scope with 22 newly commissioned works from artists including Tracey Emin, Mark Wallinger, and Tacita Dean. Subsequent editions have continued to attract prominent international artists while maintaining strong connections to local contexts and communities.

Featured Artworks

Throughout its history, the Folkestone Triennial has commissioned over 100 artworks, many of which have become permanent fixtures in the town as part of the Folkestone Artworks collection. These pieces range from subtle interventions to monumental sculptures, interactive installations to performance works, all engaging with specific sites and contexts throughout Folkestone.

The 2025 edition will feature 18 artists from 15 countries creating ambitious new commissions that will transform Folkestone's urban and coastal landscapes. The artworks will take over some of Folkestone's most striking and unusual locations, including a disused railway line, a former customs house, and a lookout point across the Channel.

Holiday Home

Richard Woods (2017)

Six identical miniature houses in cartoon-bright colors installed in unexpected locations around Folkestone, addressing the housing crisis and second-home ownership in coastal towns.

Multiple Locations

Another Time XXI

Antony Gormley (2017)

A cast iron figure looking out to sea from Folkestone's Harbour Arm, part of Gormley's ongoing series exploring the relationship between the human body and space.

Harbour Arm

Baby Things

Tracey Emin (2008)

A series of tiny bronze baby clothes and items scattered throughout the town, addressing Folkestone's high teenage pregnancy rates and exploring themes of love and nurturing.

Various Locations

2025 Edition: How Lies the Land?

The 6th Folkestone Triennial, "How Lies the Land?", will run from July 19 to October 19, 2025. Curated by Sorcha Carey, who previously directed the Edinburgh Art Festival, this edition will explore the layers of history embedded in Folkestone's geography, its deep past, shifting borders, and evolving landscape.

The exhibition will feature works by 18 artists from 15 countries, including Celine Condorelli, Monster Chetwynd, Dineo Seshee Bopape, Cooking Sections, Dorothy Cross, John Gerrard, Katie Paterson, and Laure Prouvost. These artists will create ambitious site-specific commissions that engage with Folkestone's earth, ecosystem, and geopolitics, inviting audiences to experience the town in new ways.

Taking over some of Folkestone's most striking and unusual locations, including a disused railway line, a former customs house, and a lookout point across the Channel, the works will address themes of migration, environmental change, and human and more-than-human resilience—narratives that resonate far beyond Folkestone.

Community Engagement

A distinctive feature of the Folkestone Triennial is its deep commitment to public engagement and educational outreach. Each edition includes a comprehensive program of workshops, talks, guided tours, and participatory activities designed to foster meaningful connections between the artworks, artists, local residents, and visitors.

Many commissioned projects directly involve community participation in their creation or activation, from gathering local stories and memories to collaborative making processes. This approach ensures that the triennial remains relevant and accessible to diverse audiences while contributing to Folkestone's social fabric and collective identity.

The triennial also works closely with local schools and educational institutions, developing resources and programs that use contemporary art as a vehicle for learning across different subjects and age groups. This educational dimension extends the exhibition's impact beyond the art world, creating lasting benefits for the town's residents.