The term was coined in the 1970s to describe artwork of any form or size that inhibits a space inside or outside a gallery, which is often site-specific.

Installations are typically three-dimensional and can be made up of a variety of material and medium. They can be indefinite or temporary and viewers can find themselves walking around a piece, contemplating it from a distance or immersing themselves in the space of the work itself.

It is common for installations to be specially commissioned for sites. If someone is interested in buying a site-specific installation, an artist may be willing to adapt the original for a new setting or create a similar piece.