Paul Cocksedge unveils new permanent public artwork, ‘Please Be Seated - North Carolina’, at the North Carolina Museum of Art

Image ©Mark Cocksedge

Paul Cocksedge’s new site-specific installation, Please Be Seated - North Carolina, will be unveiled at the North Carolina Museum of Art on 2 June 2026.

Transforming the simple idea of a bench into a monumental public artwork, the piece follows the contours of the landscape, creating space for rest, conversation, exploration, and performance. Formed from sweeping arcs and undulating lines, the work connects the upper areas of the Museum Park with the Museum buildings and Bryan Theater below.

Originally created for London Design Festival in 2019, Please Be Seated has since travelled internationally, with versions shown in London, China, Hong Kong, and Beijing. This new permanent edition has been specially designed for the NCMA and its surrounding landscape.

LOCATION: Museum Park, North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh, North Carolina
DATE: 2 June 2026