Swiss Artist Renée Levi Transforms London’s Hayward Gallery with Vibrant New Façade

Swiss artist Renée Levi has created a two-panel painting titled September, which is displayed on the façade of London’s Hayward Gallery from 23 September to 15 November 2026. The project was co-commissioned by Audemars Piguet Contemporary and the Southbank Centre’s Hayward Gallery. This work is the culmination of nearly two years of development, during which Levi explored new industrial materials to adapt her painting practice for an outdoor architectural setting.

For September, Levi worked with a synthetic mesh, a material commonly used for large-scale advertising banners, instead of her usual linen. This choice was made to address the challenges posed by wind and outdoor conditions. The adaptation to this new substratum marked a significant shift in her approach, as she had not previously worked with such materials for her paintings.

Levi selected the Hayward Gallery façade specifically for its architectural features. She was particularly drawn to a long horizontal window on the building, which she described as very painterly and made it the center of her composition. The structure of the building itself played an important role in how the artwork was conceived and installed.

Rather than attempting to conceal the building, Levi aimed to use its Brutalist structure to present her work in an unexpected context. She wanted the artwork to interact with the existing architecture, allowing the building to remain visible and integral to the overall visual experience.

The scale and execution of the painting were designed to maintain a relationship with the human body. Levi emphasized that the painting was made with the span of her arms, and the installation allows viewers to approach very closely, almost to the point of touching the surface. This proximity is intended to foster a more intimate engagement with the work.

The composition features sprayed lines and vibrant colors. Levi noted that the use of sprayed lines might create a connection with younger people, as graffiti is a visual language familiar to them. She also expressed hope that the colors would be noticeable to passersby, though she acknowledged that some people might not see the work at all, which she considers reflective of contemporary attitudes.

Levi stated that for her, the work will only truly be finished on the day it is taken down. She is represented by Galerie Bernard Jordan in Paris, Philippzollinger in Zurich, and Galerie Knoell in Basel. The installation at the Hayward Gallery offers an opportunity for the public to experience her work in a new, urban context.