Jeremy Deller’s ‘Hello Sailor’ splashes into Tinside Lido this July
17 June 2025
‘Hello Sailor!’ created by 2004 Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller will make a splash at Tinside Lido in Plymouth on Saturday 5 July. The event is part of the National Gallery's bicentenary celebrations. It marks how festivals are part and parcel of art, culture and civic life, and celebrates the fact that art and artists can be catalysts of collaboration and joy.
Over the last few months, the National Gallery and Jeremy Deller have been working with The Box to devise a celebratory event in Plymouth as part of a wider national project called 'The Triumph of Art'. Two lots of tickets have already been released for 'Hello Sailor!' and were snapped up in minutes. A final batch will be released on Tuesday 24 June.
‘Hello Sailor!’ will run from 4-7pm on Saturday 5 July at Tinside Lido and will feature local strong people, synchronised swimmers and live music. Attendees will be able to go for a dip in the lido before they leave if they wish. They’ll also witness a surprise appearance from an ‘unclothed’ Plymouth icon whose mystery identity will only be revealed on the day.
Anyone who isn’t lucky enough to get tickets will be able to watch elements of the event from The Hoe promenade, where there are plenty of viewing spots. A celebration event featuring DJs from the day will take place at The Box afterwards and tickets for this are also now live on The Box’s website.
The wider 'The Triumph of Art' project culminates later in July when elements from 'Hello Sailor!' will combine with those from partners in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for a procession along Whitehall and a free, family friendly celebration and performance-inspired event in Trafalgar Square on Saturday 26 July.
'The Triumph of Art’ is exactly what it says it is – a celebration of art and its place in our society – and ‘Hello Sailor’ is Plymouth’s unique and cheeky contribution to it. Jeremy Deller has drawn inspiration from the paintings in the National Gallery’s collection, including Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian, which shows Bacchus the Roman god of wine and revelry and a group of people of all shapes and sizes having a party. He’s also drawn inspiration from social history items in The Box’s collection, as well as the strength and creativity of the people of Plymouth. ‘Hello Sailor!’ will be a joyful afternoon that celebrates bodies, just how much people can do with them and how they can be proud of and confident about the body they have.
Rhys Morgan, Art Fund Assistant Curator
Working with Jeremy Deller and the National Gallery on this dynamic project has been a fantastic opportunity for The Box and we’re delighted to have been one of four partners selected to collaborate on it. ‘Hello Sailor’ is a creative exploration of Plymouth and I’m excited to see what unfolds on 5 July. Above all, it’s sure to be an event that highlights the importance of creativity in daily life.
Victoria Pomery, CEO, The Box Plymouth
It’s a massive coup for Plymouth to be working with an artist like Jeremy Deller whose career has been built around brave, large-scale performance events that take risks and create real impact. 'The Triumph of Art' is a project that shows how you can take the stories from a painting and create something completely different and new. 'Hello Sailor' is going to be an afternoon to remember and I hope as many people as possible with make the most of this chance to witness something really unique!
Councillor Jemima Laing, Deputy Leader
I’m looking forward to working with partners across all four nations to create something epic to mark the National Gallery’s 200 years.
Jeremy Deller, artist
Tickets for ‘Hello Sailor’ are free and can be booked from 12pm on Tuesday 24 June.
Find out more about ‘The Triumph of Art’.