The first new public sculpture to go on display in London's Hyde Park for nearly 50 years has been unveiled by the Royal Parks Foundation in partnership with the Halcyon Gallery.

Isis, which was created by artist Simon Gudgeon, will now act as the focal point for a £1.8m fundraising campaign for the construction of an environmentally-friendly education centre at the Look Out in the centre of the park. The new sculpture is situated on the shore of the Serpentine and features 1,000 plaques around its base, which will be engraved with a personal name and aims to raise £1,000 as part of the Look Out campaign.

Nick Lane, education officer for the Royal Parks, said: "Getting out into the Park is a great learning experience for city kids. The children enjoy more than 15 different activities ranging from mini-beast observations, tree studies and the weather cycle, to recycling, birdlife and park occupations." The new centre, which will replace existing facilities that are unsuitable for use during winter months, will feature two classrooms and a new base for the Royal Parks' education team and volunteers. New nature trails and wildlife ponds will also be created."