Continuing its popular art programme of arresting outdoor installations, offering free access to art for all, Wembley Park announces a series of newly commissioned works by multidisciplinary artists including Paul J Marks, Douglas Green, Louisa Smurthwaite and Jenny Cox.

The new artworks form part of the Wembley Park Art Trail, a growing collection of over 20 pieces of outdoor public art developed with local, national, and international artists including Mr. Doodle, Lois O’Hara and Jason Bruges Studio.

The seven new installations are included in a new exhibition titled Winter’s Wander which will be on display until 28th February 2023 across the neighbourhood. The exhibition centres around the theme of joy, togetherness, and sense of adventure, while also incorporating exciting new astronomical art pieces.

“We are delighted to be celebrating creativity across the neighbourhood this winter through such a diverse range of artworks. It’s also exciting to be presenting astronomical art for the first time – a modern genre of artistic expression that spans realism, impressionism, hardware, sculpture, abstract imagery and more. Both A Guiding Light and the Sound Shell in Samovar Space with its futuristic design celebrate space art in Wembley Park this winter, with incredible effect.”

Josh McNorton, Cultural Director, Wembley Park

A Guiding Light by Louisa Smurthwaite & Douglas Green
As visitors arrive on iconic Olympic Way, they are welcomed by the majestic figure of A Guiding Light, a sequential artwork spread across 34, 7-metre-tall banners, against the backdrop of the Wembley Stadium arch. Created by light artists Douglas Green and Louisa Smurthwaite – who previously collaborated with musicians including Kylie Minogue, Lorde, Florence and the Machine and Jarvis Cocker, – A Guiding Light depicts the 12 hours of the moon rising and 12 hours of the sun setting, taking visitors on a walk through the wintertime phases of the sun and moon. The artwork across the banners is supported by projections of a star field on the ground below.

All the images were hand drawn by Douglas, who started with photographs of the sun and moon before bringing in influences from the Northern Lights and the constellations. At the heart of the A Guiding Light experience is mankind’s obsession with the night sky.

“We look to the night sky for inspiration, for guidance and for navigation, while the constellations and the zodiac are important to many diverse individuals around the world. Some see their ancestors as stars. It was an incredible opportunity to have such a large canvas to work with.”

Douglas Green, Artist