Bimini, But Make It Art History: The Night Party After Dark Took Over the National Gallery | My Soho Times

For over 200 years, the National Gallery has been a place of stillness — long pauses in front of oil paintings, hushed voices, measured steps. The Arnolfini Portrait has witnessed six centuries of quiet observation. Van Gogh’s Sunflowershave absorbed generations of silent admiration.

Then last night, it welcomed something radically different.

As part of Art of London’s Art After Dark programme (running 3–10 February), the National Gallery opened its doors after hours for its first-ever music-led late-night event — headlined by Bimini.

For the uninitiated, Bimini Bon-Boulash, known simply as Bimini, is a London-based drag artist, DJ, model, and cultural force. Rising to prominence on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Bimini has since become a defining voice in contemporary queer culture, blending fashion, activism, and club energy. Their presence alone signalled that this would be no ordinary night at the Gallery.

Speaking on the night, Bimini said:

“Performing in the National Gallery after hours was wild — not a space you expect to hear bass rumbling through. Seeing people dancing under those massive ceilings showed how easily art and club culture can blend when you let them.”

The DJ lineup also included French-Canadian DJ Karaba and rising selector Mia Lily, bringing together electronic, pop, and club sounds beneath the grand ceilings of the Sainsbury Wing. While this wasn’t an underground rave (firmly in the 90s archives), it captured the spirit of this year’s Art After Dark themes: music as a force for gathering, movement, and shared joy. People of all ages joined in, dancing and enjoying the moment.

Kirsty Tullett-Jones, Director of Marketing and Communications at Art of London, added:

“Party After Dark is a brilliant moment for us — opening up one of London’s greatest institutions after hours and showing just how alive the West End is at night.”

Earlier this week, the programme launched with artist Lakwena Maciver’s bold seven-metre installation Rise & Shine in Piccadilly Circus — inspired by 80s and 90s rave culture and designed to celebrate music, colour, joy, and collective experience in public space.

Art After Dark continues across the West End until 10 February, with free public art and cultural activations lighting up the city after dark

Written by the My Soho Times Lifestyle Team | Images courtesy of Art of London

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