London's iconic Shard skyscraper has unveiled a spectacular Christmas light display with an extraordinary backstory that celebrates the hidden artistic talents within its own walls.
From Housekeeping to High Art
The Shard revealed its annual Christmas light show on November 25, but this year's display breaks from tradition in the most inspiring way. Rather than hiring an external creative agency, the building's management turned to its own staff members to create what has become the UK's tallest festive display.
Twelve employees from various departments within the skyscraper were selected to contribute their artistic visions, transforming the top twenty storeys into a canvas of light. The creative collaboration brings together professionals ranging from accountants and security managers to illustrators and digital designers.
Leading this unique project is Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, a 65-year-old housekeeping team member from Colombia whose vibrant impressionist paintings became the cornerstone of this year's display. His abstract brushstrokes have been digitally transformed into a captivating 60-minute loop featuring starry nights, rainbow flashes, and even a leaping reindeer.
A Secret Talent Revealed
Gustavo has worked at The Shard for eight years, but his artistic abilities remained largely unknown until recently. He often shared his paintings with colleagues, and word of his talent eventually reached the building's marketing team.
"When I found out, I felt nerves, excitement and disbelief all at once," Gustavo confessed. "I never imagined my art would be part of something so big."
His artistic journey began at age 18 in Colombia, where he grew up surrounded by a family of painters. After decades away from his craft, watching his daughter paint during the pandemic reignited his passion for art, bringing him back to oils and palette knives after a 25-year hiatus.
"My daughter asked me to help her with a painting, and that made me realize it was time to get back to it," he explained. "I started with small canvases, and I haven't stopped since."
London's Most Ambitious Light Display
The building commissioned a special painting from Gustavo after discovering his talent, using it as the foundation for this year's festive theme. Other amateur artists within The Shard were also invited to contribute inspiration, resulting in the landmark's most ambitious display to date.
The show features twelve unique sequences that repeat every hour, making it the longest continuous light display The Shard has ever presented. The installation uses 575 energy-efficient LED units that create captivating patterns visible from up to 40 miles away.
Gustavo's work draws on vivid memories, personal experiences, and his lifelong love of horses. That emotional, colourful style now glows high above the Thames, bringing his personal artistic vision to millions of Londoners.
"You should never give up your dreams because it's never too late to start again," Gustavo reflected. "I returned to painting after 25 years away, and everything happened at the right moment."
Londoners can experience this extraordinary display nightly from 4pm to midnight, with an additional showing from 5:30am to 7:30am. The full list of contributing artists includes:
- Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, Housekeeping Team Member
- Valdas Dragunas, Deputy Security Operations Manager
- Sarah James, Head of FP&A
- Michelle Hird, Illustrator
- Linh Wales, Digital Illustrator
- Adam Hypki, Graphic Designer
- Hyatt Saba, Data Governance Manager
- Maddy Hope, Illustrator/Animator
- Besnik Mehmed, Senior News Video Editor
- Kate Ross, Digital Designer
- Rahat Badar, Legal Contracts Manager
- Caitlin McDonald, Marketing Manager
