The North West, with its rich history of art and culture, is to deservingly take centre stage for the National Gallery’s Bicentenary celebrations. Derry has been chosen as the launch city for ‘The Triumph of Art,’ an ambitious UK-wide celebration marking the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary. The series will begin with a spectacular event, ‘The Triumph of Music,’ led by Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, taking place in Guildhall Square on Saturday, April 19th.

To mark its bicentenary, The National Gallery has commissioned Jeremy Deller to create ‘The Triumph of Art’ that celebrates festivals, gatherings and art in public places as part of a major UK-wide work. This ambitious initiative will include events in Derry, Plymouth, Llandudno, and Dundee, culminating in a massive celebration in Trafalgar Square in July. But it all begins here, live at Guildhall Square, as Derry has been officially chosen to launch the series with ‘The Triumph of Music.’ The event is free and open to the public, and Derry Chamber strongly encourages its members and the wider public to come along and enjoy the celebrations.

The Chamber is thrilled to be involved with this initiative, working with The Playhouse in anticipation of the event to host a special networking session on March 13th which will feature an exclusive preview of the landmark event. Register HERE

Kevin Murphy, CEO of The Playhouse, expressed his excitement about the event, saying:
“We are incredibly honoured that Derry’s ‘The Triumph of Music’ will launch this momentous celebration. This event represents a unique opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland’s creative voices and celebrate our shared cultural heritage alongside communities across the UK.”

Anna Doherty, Derry Chamber CEO, called on the community to get involved with the planned special networking session, saying:
“The North West is a hub of creativity and innovation, and this networking session is a brilliant opportunity for local artists, creatives, and businesses to come together. At the Chamber, we are passionate about supporting and showcasing the incredible talent in our region. We encourage everyone interested to join us on March 13th, connect with like-minded individuals, and explore how you can play a role in this landmark celebration.”

Renowned for his impactful public artworks, Jeremy Deller shared his enthusiasm for the project, saying:
“I’m looking forward to working with partners across all four nations to create something epic to mark the Gallery’s 200 years.”

Emily Stone, Project Curator at the National Gallery, emphasised the significance of launching the celebrations in Derry:
“We couldn’t have found better partners to work with for this commission. The combination of history, heritage, and emerging talent in Derry makes it the perfect starting point for this nationwide celebration.”

Details of the performance remain under wraps, but Deller’s track record suggests it will be an extraordinary and unforgettable celebration that brings the community together in unexpected ways. You won’t want to miss being part of this historic moment, so come along and witness the spectacle on April 19th, in the Guildhall Square.

Find out more about about The Triumph of Art