Meet the self-taught painter from the Shard’s housekeeping team who inspired the UK’s tallest festive display
The Shard’s housekeeper turned hidden artist is the talent behind this year’s Christmas lights
The Shard has unveiled its annual Christmas light show on November 25 – but this year comes with an unexpected twist. Instead of being designed by a creative agency, the entire display has been inspired by undiscovered artists working inside the skyscraper itself.
Some 12 staff members, from accountants to security managers and illustrators, were selected to bring their artistic visions to life across the top 20 storeys. Leading the creative collaboration is Colombian-born housekeeping team member and impressionist painter, Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas. His vibrant abstract brushstrokes have been transformed into a 60-minute loop featuring starry nights, rainbow flashes, and even a leaping reindeer.
Gustavo, 65, has spent eight years working at The Shard, but his artistic talent only recently surfaced. He often proudly shared his paintings with colleagues, and word eventually reached the building’s marketing team.
Now, millions across London will see his work reimagined as luminous patterns dancing across the city’s most recognisable spire. Gustavo said: “When I found out, I felt nerves, excitement and disbelief all at once. I never imagined my art would be part of something so big.”
His journey began at age 18 in Colombia, where he grew up surrounded by a family of painters. After decades away from art, watching his daughter paint during the pandemic reignited his creativity and brought him back to oils and palette knives.
He said: “My daughter asked me to help her with a painting, and that made me realize it was time to get back to it. I started with small canvases, and I haven’t stopped since.”
His work now draws on vivid memories, personal experiences and especially his lifelong love of horses. That emotional, colourful style is now glowing high above the Thames, visible from up to 40 miles away.
Gustavo said: “You should never give up your dreams because it’s never too late to start again. I returned to painting after 25 years away, and everything happened at the right moment.”
The building commissioned a special painting from Gustavo after discovering his talent, using it as the cornerstone for this year’s festive theme. Other amateur artists within The Shard were also invited to contribute inspiration, resulting in its most ambitious display to date.
The show features 12 unique sequences which repeat every hour, making it the longest continuous light display the landmark has ever presented. Londoners can catch it nightly from 4pm to midnight and again from 5:30am to 7:30am.
Full list of artists involved:
- Gustavo Zuluaga Villegas, Housekeeping Team Member, Shard Quarter
- Valdas Dragunas, Deputy Security Operations Manager, Shard Quarter
- Sarah James, Head of FP&A, Mitie
- Michelle Hird, Illustrator, Sage
- Linh Wales, Digital Illustrator
- Adam Hypki, Graphic Designer, Gallup
- Hyatt Saba, Data Governance Manager, Sage
- Maddy Hope, Illustrator/Animator, Sage
- Besnik Mehmed, Senior News and Documentary Video Editor, Al Jazeera
- Kate Ross, Digital Designer, Kraft Heinz
- Rahat Badar, Legal Contracts Manager, Foresight Group LLP
- Caitlin McDonald, Marketing Manager, Blis
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