Hume to design original set for Burberry’s show at London’s National Theatre on 16 September
Burberry has announced a collaboration with British artist Gary Hume for its upcoming Summer 2025 show. Hume, known for his figurative and abstract works, will create an original set inspired by his 1990 installation, Bays, for the show at the National Theatre in London on 16 September.
Hume’s Bays installation, first exhibited at the East Country Yard Show in London’s Docklands, consists of large water-resistant sheets featuring cutout rectangles. The design was influenced by the modernist and functional style of hospital doors, a recurring theme in Hume’s late 1980s and 1990s paintings. Hume recently unearthed the piece after many years.
This collaboration reinforces Burberry’s commitment to supporting British arts and culture. The brand has previously worked with artists like Sarah Lucas at Tate Britain and John Akomfrah at La Biennale di Venezia, and continues to champion British creativity on a global stage.
“When Daniel approached me for this collaboration, I was surprised he even knew about the Bays installation, as it’s work I made a long time ago that hasn’t been seen much. It’s such an honour to work with him on this show and design the set for such an iconic brand at an iconic venue,” said Hume.
“It is a pleasure and an honour to collaborate with Gary Hume for our Summer 2025 show. I have long admired his work; his extraordinary use of colour, and the emotion behind his pieces, are what make him such a fascinating artist,” said Daniel Lee, Burberry’s Chief Creative Officer.
Gary Hume, who was shortlisted for the Turner Prize in 1996, is regarded as one of the leading British painters and sculptors of his generation. His work is celebrated for its emotive themes and bold use of colour.
