Marking its fifth anniversary, the hotel unveils Needless Robots, a specially commissioned artwork celebrating local creativity, community and the connection between art and the urban environment.
Canopy London City is celebrating five successful years at the heart of East London with the unveiling of Needless Robots, a bespoke light installation by internationally acclaimed, London-based artist Simon Heijdens.
Commissioned to mark the hotel’s fifth anniversary, the installation reflects Canopy’s longstanding commitment to championing local creativity and celebrating the people and places that shape its neighbourhood. The artwork will be officially celebrated at an intimate launch moment on Wednesday 21st October 2026, bringing together representatives from the local creative community, as part of the hotel’s wider anniversary celebrations.
Dutch-born artist Simon Heijdens, whose studio has been based in East London for over two decades, has earned international recognition for his innovative installations exploring the relationship between nature, technology and urban environments. His work has been exhibited at some of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago.
The collaboration brings an internationally celebrated artist back to his local creative roots, with a specially commissioned piece designed to connect Canopy’s interior spaces with the natural rhythms of the surrounding neighbourhood.
Bringing the outside in: Needless Robots
Taking pride of place in the hotel’s lobby, Needless Robots is a striking, large-scale installation that transforms artificial forms into an ever-changing reflection of the natural world.
Handcrafted in his Columbia road studio from hand blown glass, the installation features intricate, life-sized botanical forms, each fitted with a custom dynamic mechanism that translates ever fluctuating outdoor environmental conditions into the gentle, natural swaying of the illuminated plants inside.
Although entirely artificial in form, the installation’s movements are organic and unpredictable, creating a poetic connection between the hotel’s interior and the living environment beyond its walls.
The piece continues Heijdens’ exploration of the often-overlooked patterns of nature within urban life, a theme that has defined his internationally recognised practice. His previous works include Lightweeds, exhibited at MoMA and the V&A, and Shade, exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago.
For Canopy, the installation offers guests and visitors an opportunity to experience contemporary art in an unexpected setting, transforming the hotel’s lobby into a space for creativity, discovery and connection.
Five years of celebrating East London’s creative community
Since opening its doors in 2021, Canopy London City has sought to reflect the character, culture and creative energy of its East London neighbourhood, placing local experiences and community connections at the heart of its identity.
The commission of Needless Robots marks a milestone in that journey, celebrating five years in the neighbourhood while reinforcing the hotel’s ambition to provide a platform for artistic talent.
Looking ahead, Canopy aims to further embrace its role as a creative destination within the city, exploring opportunities to showcase artists and installations across different spaces throughout the hotel, with support from local cultural organisations and creative networks where appropriate.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, representatives from local galleries will attend the official launch of Needless Robots on 21st October, reflecting a shared interest in championing creativity and strengthening connections with East London’s vibrant arts community.
Peadar McFadden, General Manager at Canopy London City, comments:
“As we celebrate five years in this incredible neighbourhood, we wanted to mark the occasion with something that truly reflects the creativity and character of East London. Supporting local talent has always been central to the Canopy experience, and collaborating with an artist of Simon’s calibre, who has such strong roots in the area, felt like a fitting way to celebrate this milestone. Needless Robots is a beautiful example of how art can bring a space to life, and we’re excited to continue exploring opportunities to connect our guests and the wider community with the remarkable creative talent on our doorstep.”
The official launch will take place in the hotel’s lobby on Wednesday 21st October 2026, ahead of Canopy London City’s wider fifth anniversary celebrations at its rooftop bar, Florattica.
Feature and body image by Canopy by Hilton London City
