Sheffield artist to make history with National Gallery sleepover experience
Gillian Phillips, a Sheffield-based artist and writer, is set to become the first person ever to spend the night inside the National Gallery, surrounded by some of the world’s most celebrated artworks. Chosen at random from over 22,000 entrants to the Gallery’s largest-ever prize draw, Phillips will enjoy this unique experience as part of the celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the institution and the grand reopening of the refurbished Sainsbury Wing. Her overnight stay, on Friday 9 May, coincides with the unveiling of C C Land: The Wonder of Art – a complete rehang of the Gallery’s collection, showcasing over 1,000 works spanning seven centuries of European painting.
NG200 Wake up to the C C Land – The Wonder of Art. Bed, adorned by the Marks & Spencer X National Gallery collection, at the National Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing link © Photo: The National Gallery
A former Londoner now living near the Peak District, Phillips brings a rich personal connection to the Gallery. As a mother, grandmother, speaker, and charity trustee, she recalls fond memories of visiting the National Gallery in her youth and even working as a freelance lecturer, guiding children through its masterpieces. Reflecting on her upcoming visit, she described the opportunity to “wake up to the wonder of art” as a profound privilege, viewing the Gallery as her lifelong “art home”. Her evening will begin with a curated dinner at Locatelli, the Gallery’s new restaurant helmed by Michelin-star chef Giorgio Locatelli, followed by a private tour led by a curator before settling in for the night.
Come morning on Saturday 10 May, Phillips will enjoy breakfast in the Gallery before the Sainsbury Wing opens to the public at 10am. As she explores the transformed space, she’ll be among the first to witness a new perspective on familiar masterpieces, alongside works never before displayed. This historic moment symbolises more than just a personal milestone – it represents a bridge between the past and future of the National Gallery as it steps into its third century, inviting visitors old and new to experience the wonder of art in a renewed and reimagined setting.
Click here to discover more on the unveiling of C C Land: The Wonder of Art – a complete rehang of the Gallery’s collection.
