The Tunnel of Light pays tribute to the NHS’ ongoing vaccination success.
There’s now quite literally a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the UK’s vaccination efforts, as artists Squidsoup have installed a brand new immersive light fixture outside Guy’s Hospital in London Bridge. ‘Tunnel of Light’, which has been sponsored by car maker Hyundai, is aimed as both a beacon of the way forward, and a glowing tribute to the tireless efforts of NHS staff in fighting the coronavirus pandemic. [Featured image: @squidie]
Having been unveiled yesterday to mark Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust administering 100,000 vaccines, the artwork is now glowing away through the March nights, and will be in place until April 4. Inside the nine-metre long tunnel, 160 lightboxes have been mounted onto a wall to create the illusion of sunbeams through the clouds – an apt metaphor for our gradual ascent out of lockdown and back towards normality.
Squidsoup have mounted plenty of artworks in the capital before; you’ll often find them as part of large-scale shows such as Canary Wharf’s annual Winter Lights display, where their playful yet thought-provoking designs have been very popular. (You may also have caught one of their works at Kew Gardens’ Christmas lights trail back in 2018.)
‘Tunnel of Light’ is an optimistic and uplifting work, so if you’re in the area or out on a lockdown walk, pop down and pay it a visit. It’s completely free to enjoy, and provides a welcome beacon of light through what are hopefully the last dark days of the pandemic. And hopefully soon enough, we’ll all be out there enjoying the actual sunshine!