Thursday 29 June: Art of London, a celebrated initiative by Heart of London Business Alliance, launched Art After Dark: Summer Edition this morning. This event, spanning two days, sees Piccadilly Circus transformed into a tranquil garden and the iconic Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain, a mesmerising canvas adorned with hundreds of flowers completed with meditative video art, casting a serene ambience over Piccadilly Circus.

Over 40 art galleries will extend their hours on the 29th and 30th of June, inviting members of the public to partake in the immersive two-day cultural affair.

As night descends, the Piccadilly Lights will showcase Amelia Kosminsky’s awe-inspiring video masterpiece, ‘Sparks of Nature.’ This enchanting visual journey captures a vivid sunset painted in shades of lilac, orange, and yellow, offering a tranquil experience amidst the bustling heart of London.

Renowned florist Philip Corps (known for his work on Bridgerton) draws inspiration from Amelia Kosminsky’s art, adorning the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain with vibrant flower arrangements, accompanied by an illuminated terrarium for a perfect Instagram-worthy picture.

A collaborative effort with Westminster City Council and Landsec, this captivating public art project by Art of London aims to ignite curiosity among West End visitors.

As the curtain falls on this summer’s two-day art celebration, showcasing over 6,000 blooming flowers and plants, Art of London will donate the floral display to Thrive, a charitable cause, that repurposes it within local communities.

Art After Dark, in partnership with Mayfair Art Weekend, welcomes visitors to the West End to explore London’s most esteemed independent galleries on Thursday, including Cristea Roberts, 3812 Gallery, and Stern Pissarro. On Friday, cultural enthusiasts can indulge in the offerings of the Royal Academy of Arts, National Gallery, and the much-anticipated reopening of the National Portrait Gallery after a three-year hiatus.

Throughout this late-night art experience, aficionados of culture also has the opportunity to savour special offerings from world-class restaurants and bars.

Amelia Kosminsky, artist and co-creator, said: “‘There is so much action and life in our great city but sometimes the pace can be overwhelming. I wanted to create work that gives the public a moment of calm, a pocket of peace where they can stop, take a breath and observe something quietly beautiful within an urban environment. Bringing summer and nature to Piccadilly Circus has been a wonderful experience and I can’t wait for people to enjoy it.”

Philip Corps, florist and co-creator, said: “I’m delighted to unveil this incredible public art installation in the heart of London and offer members of the public, hopping between galleries during Art After Dark, a tranquil space to reflect on the world-class art they saw inside the galleries.”

Mark Williams, Director of Art of London, said: “Art After Dark has opened up the art world to a new generation of night owls who can experience incredible exhibitions, bars and restaurants when visiting the West End. We’re delighted to have worked with Amelia Kosminsky, Philip Corps and Westminster City Council to launch Art After Dark with this incredible installation. The stunning floral display and accompanying visual is the perfect start or finish to your evening of gallery hopping across the West End and St James’s.”

For further information, please visit Art of London.