V&A reveals 2024 Christmas installation by Anna Lomax

Artist Anna Lomax reimagines the Christmas tree as a playful, light-filled installation celebrating strength, tradition, and festive joy at the V&A.

© Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington has revealed its annual Christmas installation, this year crafted by acclaimed artist and designer Anna Lomax. Entitled All Lit Up!, the LED-based artwork reimagines the traditional Christmas tree as a dynamic, twisting column of light. Situated in the museum’s iconic Grand Entrance, the installation draws inspiration from both natural trees and architectural columns, symbolising strength, growth, and resilience. Lomax’s design offers a joyful interplay of tradition and innovation, echoing the celebratory spirit of Christmas with a bold, contemporary aesthetic.

By merging the elegance of a tree with the structural significance of a column, All Lit Up! encapsulates the childlike wonder and festive joy associated with Christmas. Meneesha Kellay, the V&A’s Senior Curator of Contemporary Design, praised the installation, stating, “Lighting up and lifting spirits this festive season, Anna Lomax’s playful response to our Grand Entrance honours both tradition and creativity.” Kellay highlighted the historical significance of the Christmas tree in Britain, popularised by Prince Albert, and how Lomax’s vision builds on this legacy through a vibrant and modern lens.

Anna Lomax expressed her excitement, saying, “It’s an honour to design the V&A Christmas Tree and to follow in the footsteps of so many incredible artists. My design embodies the Christmas spirit with a spectacle of light while paying homage to the V&A’s architecture.” Known for her bold, pop-culture-inspired works, Lomax has collaborated with major global brands such as Apple, Chanel, and Nike. Her innovative approach—using unexpected textures and objects to bring fresh perspectives—shines brightly in this year’s installation, which promises to captivate visitors throughout the festive season.

Date: 25 November 2024 - 5 January 2025. Location: V&A South Kensington, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 2RL.