London has a hefty variety of Christmas lights. Oxford Street & Regent Street cover the bright beams of lights across the shopping havens, Soho takes the adorable title with a display made by local schoolchildren, and the Churchill Arms pub has even more bulbs than pint glasses (maybe).
None of those, however, could lay a glove on the Shard when it comes to measuring which display is highest in the sky, with the city’s tallest beacon shining its lights across the city each festive season with a new design.
The building has now turned on its Christmas lights display, with a nightly showing of its design totally inspired by amateur artist Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, who has been part of the housekeeping team at the Shard for eight years. Upon recently discovering his artistic talent, the Shard decided that their display would be based around his work, and commissioned a special painting from him for the occasion.
Gustavo’s artwork will flash across the sky each night, visible for 40 miles on a clear night, and promising illumination of his abstract expressionist art, with the display jumping from colourful brushwork and rainbow flashes to a festive reindeer, and more.
Speaking on the announcement, artist Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas said: “I came to London from Colombia in 1996 to start a new chapter in my life. The Shard has been part of that journey for the past eight years, and it means a lot to see my artwork reflected on a building I know so well.
“During the pandemic, my daughter’s creativity inspired me to return to painting, something that’s always been close to my heart. To now see those paintings transformed into light for everyone to enjoy feels incredibly special.”
The Shard’s Christmas lights display is shining now, with a nightly showcase of Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas’ work lighting up the skyline.