See Mud Sun at National Gallery London this Bicentennary
The National Gallery is marking its Bicentenary in spectacular fashion with a brand-new site-specific commission by the revered British artist Sir Richard Long. Opening to the public on 10 May 2025, Mud Sun is a five-metre mud work dramatically displayed at the top of the grand staircase in the newly transformed Sainsbury Wing.
Created by hand using tidal mud sourced from the River Avon near the artist’s home, Mud Sun is a striking circular form of gestural marks and swipes. The artwork, which invokes the primal processes of creation, will be the first piece encountered by visitors arriving at the Gallery, symbolically linking the past and present as it ushers them into the reimagined galleries. To the left of the staircase, they will discover paintings from the Medieval and Early Renaissance era, while to the right, Renaissance masterpieces await.
A Landmark Commission for the Bicentenary
This new work comes as part of the Gallery’s most ambitious rehang yet, unveiled in C C Land: The Wonder of Art. It celebrates 200 years of creativity and innovation while fostering connections between art across centuries. Supported by Lisson Gallery and generously donated to the National Gallery by Dr Didi Mei Yi Wong, Mud Sun will join the Gallery’s Contextual Collection – setting it alongside other contemporary works that enrich and dialogue with its historic holdings.
The Legacy of Sir Richard Long
With a career spanning over 60 years, Sir Richard Long is one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, renowned for his exploration of mark-making as a fundamental cultural act. He is also recognized for his innovative use of natural materials such as mud, stone, and earth. The recipient of numerous accolades, including the Turner Prize (1989) and knighthood in 2018, Long has represented Britain at the Venice Biennale and exhibited his poetic works internationally.
Mud Sun is Long’s second collaboration with the National Gallery, following his 2023 work River Avon Mud Crescent for the Saint Francis of Assisi exhibition. His ability to distill art into primal yet profound forms takes center stage once again with Mud Sun, blending human energy and the forces of nature.
The Creative Process
Speaking about the artwork, Sir Richard Long emphasizes its essence as a confluence of energies. “It’s about different types of energy,” he explains. “There’s the force of gravity, and the wateriness of water, which is demonstrated by the speed of my hand. I make the hand marks and nature – gravity – makes the other half of the image. The circle is just a vehicle to show all the different energies that come together.”
A Grand Welcome for Art Enthusiasts
Daniel F Herrmann, Ardalan Curator of Modern and Contemporary Projects at the National Gallery, describes Mud Sun as a “sublime form created from humble mud and clay.” He adds, “It celebrates artistic creativity from the Neolithic to the present day.” Meanwhile, National Gallery Director Sir Gabriele Finaldi notes, “Richly allusive and powerfully gestural, Mud Sun will greet millions of visitors as they ascend the Sainsbury Wing staircase. It speaks to geometry, creativity, and the mysterious alchemy of art.”
This monumental work also complements Bridget Riley’s Messengers (2019), located at the opposite end of the Gallery building, bridging the modern and historical through bold and contemporary visual dialogue.
Transforming the Visitor Experience
From the raw simplicity of mud to the grandeur of the Sainsbury Wing, Mud Sun captures the essence of the National Gallery’s mission to celebrate art in all its forms. It stands as a testament to Richard Long’s vision and the Gallery’s ongoing evolution as it welcomes the public to experience C C Land: The Wonder of Art, which redefines how we view its collection.
Step into the National Gallery’s transformed Sainsbury Wing from 10 May 2025 to experience the monumental beauty and raw power of Mud Sun, a beacon of creativity for generations to come.