Acting as a mirror to the times we are in, the challenges we face, and the hope we look to for the future, art is not merely therapeutic; it is necessary. There is a reason why we seem to flock to sculptures, murals, and museums. Art can be the catalyst to a better understanding of nature, cultures, and the human spirit. We’ve listed some of the most marvellous, curious, and enchanting artworks around the globe and the artists that created them. They’ll certainly add depth to your travels and give you another reason to visit a country.

1. Lion of Lucerne in Switzerland

Artist: Bertel Thorvaldsen | Sculptor
Art: The Lion Monument or Lion of Lucerne
Created: 1820-1821
Location: Lucerne, Switzerland

The Lion of Lucerne is a magnificent monument carved into the wall at a sandstone quarry in Lucerne. Created by artist and sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen in 1820 to commemorate the fallen Swiss Guards of the French Revolution, it stands regal and yet has a melancholic notion to it. Laying 6 meters high and 10 meters in length over a bed of water, the monument draws visitors from all over the world and serves as a powerful yet sombre reminder of its history.

2. Dismemberment, Site 1 in New Zealand

Artist: Anish Kapoor | Sculptor & Installation Artist
Art: Dismemberment, Site 1
Created: 2009
Location: Gibbs Farm, Kaipara Harbour, New Zealand

As one of the most well-known and significant sculptors of our time, Anish Kapoor’s works are recognised all over the world, but his piece, Dismemberment, Site 1, is truly a marvel. Formed over a vast stretch of land on the Gibbs Farm, an open-air sculpture park in New Zealand, the red trumpet-like structure appears playful and almost otherworldly.

Placed alongside other famous sculptures like Neil Dawson’s Horizons and Maya Lin’s A Fold in the Field, the structure is a marvel to behold. The farm is private property that only opens by appointment several times a year. More information is available on their website.

3. Lego House in Denmark

Artist: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) | Architect
Art: LEGO House
Created: 2014-2017
Location: Billund, Denmark

Some art is commemorative and thought-provoking, while others are simply wonderful and delightful. The LEGO House, also known as the Home of the Brick, is the latter. A physical manifestation of Ole Kirk Christiansen’s brainchild, the LEGO blocks, the 12,000-square-meter building is the ultimate playhouse for any child and adult.

Open almost all year round, the interactive museum designed by Danish architect Bjarke Ingels serves as a museum, gallery, and play space. Designed with LEGO’s brand philosophy of learning through play to promote creativity, innovation, problem solving and new ways of thinking, the LEGO House is a must-visit when in Denmark.

4. Seven Magic Mountains in the United States

Artist: Ugo Rondinone | Contemporary Artist
Art: Seven Magic Mountains
Created: 2015-2016
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Located in the desert landscape of Nevada is the vibrant Seven Magic Mountains, a public art installation created by artist Ugo Rondinone. The seven towers of brightly painted limestone boulders stand rather whimsically between 30 to 35 feet and are hard to miss in the surrounding landscape. Though the practice of stacking stones is ancient and found in cultures all over the world, the intentional use of vibrant colours in this installation enhances its artificiality, provoking conversation between human culture and natural spaces.

5. Atmospheric Column in China

Artist: Olafur Eliasson | Sculpture & Installation Artist
Art: Atmospheric Column
Created: 2023
Location: He Art Museum, Foshan, China

Sending spirals down the central staircase of the He Art Museum (HEM) designed by architect Tadao Ando, is one of Olafur Eliasson’s more recent works—the Atmospheric Column. The design of the 20-metre spiral sculpture parallels the form of the double helix, the physical structure of DNA. Rotating slowly, gracefully, and being almost hypnotic, the Atmospheric Column is a permanent installation at the art museum in Foshan, China.

6. The Desert Relics in the United Arab Emirates

Artist: Karim+Elias | Architect & Multidisciplinary Designer
Art: The Desert Relics
Created: 2024
Location: Mleiha, Sharjah, UAE

At the Mleiha Archaeological Centre in the United Arab Emirates are 12 modular totems known as The Desert Relics. The installation designed by architects Karim Tamerji and Elias El Hage is made from the desert sand as an ode to Mleiha’s ancient artefacts. These totems, backdropped by the surrounding mountains, appear as stacked vases or beautifully strung stone beads, giving a modern representation to the region’s history and heritage. The installation is permanently displayed on site.

7. Rattan Eco Sprawl in Singapore

Artist: Zen Teh | Environmental Artist
Art: Rattan Eco Sprawl: Manifesting the Forest
Created: 2024-2025
Location: Spottiswoode Park, Singapore

The Rattan Eco Sprawl was launched in October 2024. Commissioned by Singapore Art Museum (SAM) and designed by environmental artist Zen Teh, the rattan structure rests in Spottiswoode Park and acts as a sanctuary to the surrounding plants and wildlife. Crafted into a fluid-like form by Cambodian artisans, Teh was inspired by the form, flow and structure of termite mounds, mountains, and Angkor Wat.

Plants have gradually grown and intertwined with the structure’s pavilion walls, where visitors are welcomed to walk through. Apart from being simply beautiful, the installation serves as a lesson in the beauty and benefits of eco-conscious designs. The art installation will remain on display until December 2025.