The Triumph Of Art: Jeremy Deller commission for Bicentenary comes to Trafalgar Square

LONDON.— Starting with a procession along Whitehall that you can follow, everyone can then join Jeremy Deller and a cast of artists, friends, performers and musicians in Trafalgar Square to dance, play, make, drink tea, eat cake, see performances and meet some artistic characters that you might recognise from the National Gallery Collection… and some you might not.

Major moments and projects, involving hundreds of participants, have been happening across Northern Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland this spring all of which will come together on 26 July.

For The Triumph of Art, The Box in Plymouth, Mostyn in Llandudno, The Playhouse in Derry/Londonderry and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee have partnered with the National Gallery to deliver a series of events across the UK. These organisations mark a significant expansion in the National Gallery’s partnership strategy, including for the first time a performing arts venue in The Playhouse, and the first formal partnership with an art school (or college) in Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University of Dundee. The Triumph of Art culminates in London, bringing elements from all these together.

Hundreds of participants from across the UK, as well as others from across London, will bring together banners, pavilions, performances, tea and cake, music, and more in a parade and celebration in London’s most iconic square.

The colourful day will also feature brass bands, rave and folk dancing, craft workshops, inflatables, and weight lifters. Families are welcome and there will be plenty space for feeding babies, and space for little ones to see the show.

Collaborators can be revealed and include:

● Armagh Rhymers ● Band Pres Llareggub ● The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL ● Boss Morris ● Canolfan Technoleg Amgen / Centre for Alternative Technology ● Celtronic ● Commando Temple ● Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design students ● Ed Hall ● Emergency Exit Arts ● Frân Wen ● Glow Inflatables ● Heart n Soul ● kennardphillipps ● London Contemporary Dance School ● Melodian Steel Orchestra ● The Power Building Gym ● William Morris Gallery

'Over two years Jeremy Deller has explored ancient mythologies, local folklore and motivations to gather, from across the UK and from the National Gallery’s collection to create an event that is joyful, surreal and hopefully like nothing else that has come before. The Triumph of Art is a celebration of creativity, making and impressive bodies – a blend of the ancient and the contemporary - which can only be truly experienced live, eventually becoming its own mythology in the stories, images and memories of those who were present. The project is really the first of its kind in the UK and we can’t wait for everyone to join in' said National Gallery curator Emily Stone.

Jeremy Deller said, 'I’m looking forward to working with partners across all four nations to create something epic to mark the Gallery’s 200 years.'

The commission will culminate in a day-long spectacular in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 26 July 2025 from 11am - 4pm.