The Connaught Christmas Tree 2022 has been unveiled outside The Connaught, and this year has been designed by influential East London-born artist and sculptor Suzy Murphy
Every year, The Connaught Christmas tree is the trademark of Mayfair during the festive months, with admirers travelling from near and afar to marvel at the creative genius dreamt up by some of the top artists in the world. The unveiling of each year’s Connaught Christmas Tree 2022 marks the start of the festive season on Mount Street in the heart of Mayfair.
This season’s Christmas Tree has been designed by influential East London-born artist and sculptor Suzy Murphy and has just been unveiled! Suzy is an alumna of St Martin’s School of Art. Her work has been exhibited in several solo and group exhibitions and has been the recipient of several awards including Henry Yates Thompson Art Prize in 1982, Elizabeth Greenshields Prize in 1987 and National Open Art Landscape Art Prize in 2016. Her work is held in many important public and private collections worldwide.
The magnificent British sourced Nordmann Fir tree, stands 9m tall (30ft) on Carlos Place and will be bedecked with 34 ‘soft white’ neon dogs starting with the largest at the base of the tree, and gradually getting smaller as they reach the pinnacle. Suzy’s influence and creative direction for the tree stems from ‘Toby was a girl’, a series of sketches inspired by her childhood pet. Whimsical and poetic, with a sense of nostalgia Suzy’s interpretation of ‘Toby was a Girl’ tells the story of her dog throughout her childhood. This is translated into a beautifully artistic display on The Connaught Tree, with the neon dogs ‘running’ around the tree, culminating in ‘Toby’ residing at the top, for all to see.
At the base of the tree, the story continues as ‘Toby’ is surrounded by neon titles of sculptural works that were made for a series called “A Girls Progress”. Here, Suzy Murphy has used her creative and philosophical mantra ‘solitude, truth, passion and peace’ to describe the various stages one must pass through in order to arrive at “Peace”. It begins with Solitude (the studio) to “Truth” (honesty with yourself) to Passion (what we are truly meant to do) to “Peace” which is the ultimate destination. The Connaught tree this year, represents the timeless message of Christmas, one of hope, and peace… and light over dark. So ‘Toby’ arrives to London in Peace, and wishes everyone a truly magical Christmas.
Artist and Sculptor Suzy Murphy comments “I am so honoured to create this year’s iconic Christmas tree at The Connaught, as it is a huge part of the artistic cornerstone of Mayfair. My vision was to create a tree that symbolises my childhood experience and is closely related to a series of works I have created over the years. ‘Toby’ travelled with me artistically, in symbolic form, through various landscapes. Sometimes beautiful, sometimes dark…but here she is arriving now, triumphantly, on the Connaught Christmas tree. It is truly magical”.
Commenting on The Connaught Christmas Tree 2022 General Manager Sandeep Bhalla said “We are honoured and delighted that Suzy Murphy has agreed to add her magical touch to our precious Connaught Christmas Tree. It chimes so magically with our own Connaught Hound and our very own love of our four legged friends. We hope it will be enjoyed by our guests, Mayfair neighbours and indeed all of London this festive season.”
This will be the seventh year The Connaught Christmas Tree has been designed by a celebrated artist past trees include Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, Tracey Emin, Michael Craig-Martin, Sean Scully, Idris Khan and Annie Morris. The Connaught has long established itself as playing a significant role in the art world amassing a considerable art collection over its 170 year history.
The Connaught Christmas Tree 2022 by Suzy Murphy will shine bright on Carlos Place until the first week of January, 2023.
See also:
Christmas Trees 2021: The arty Christmas Tree of The Connaught has been revealed
Best Christmas decorations at the most luxurious hotels of the world
TheHotelTrotter.com is curated by greek journalist and fanatic hotel lover Eleni Stasinopoulou. With the eye of a fashion and lifestyle editor, Eleni hopes to inspire all connoisseurs of traveling, focusing on stylish hotel moments around the globe.
