A hypnotic mix of dance, photography, and music reimagines Greek mythology in a free exhibition at Copeland Gallery
London, get ready to step into a dreamscape where ancient mythology meets modern art. From 7th to 9th February, Peckham’s Copeland Gallery transforms into an immersive visual and sonic experience with Drowning Light, a multi-sensory exhibition that reinterprets the Greek myth of Icarus.
This isn’t your GCSE history class version of the story. Acclaimed fashion photographer Rhys Frampton, principal Royal Ballet dancer Matthew Ball, and legendary musician Guy Chambers have fused photography, dance, video, and an original music score into an evocative exhibition that pulls you deep into Icarus’ journey—from the moment he takes flight to his inevitable fall.
This free exhibition promises a hauntingly beautiful exploration of ambition, ego, and the fine line between light and shadow. And let’s be honest—where better than Peckham to dive into a reimagined Greek tragedy?
A Myth Reborn in Movement, Sound, and Shadows
Forget wings made of wax and feathers—Drowning Light tells Icarus’ story through fluid motion, striking monochrome photography, and a score designed to chill you to the bone.
Matthew Ball, Royal Ballet’s principal dancer, embodies Icarus through choreography rather than costume. His movements capture the rise, the struggle, and the tragic descent, with a simple feather acting as the only physical connection to his lost wings.
Instead of high-tech digital wizardry, Rhys Frampton took an old-school approach, using analogue photography to craft visuals that feel deeply human, raw, and tactile. The resulting images, developed with Caravaggio-style chiaroscuro tones, play with contrasts of light and shadow—just like the myth itself.
And then there’s the soundscape. Guy Chambers, the man behind some of the most iconic pop anthems ever, composed a bespoke score for piano, saxophone, and cello that will be projected across the space, creating an atmosphere of both flight and fall.
Credit: Rhys Frampton
Hubris, Ambition, and the 21st Century: Why Icarus Still Speaks to Us
We’ve all seen what happens when people chase the sun. Social media influencers crash and burn. Billionaires build rocket ships while the planet burns. Artists push boundaries until they self-destruct. The Icarus myth isn’t just a cautionary tale from Ancient Greece—it’s still playing out around us every single day.
Rhys Frampton sums it up:
“Myths help us make sense of our place in the world. They offer fertile ground for inspiration, exploration, and challenging our ways of thinking.”
This isn’t just an exhibition—it’s a conversation about ambition, vulnerability, and what happens when we reach too far, too fast.
A Fully Immersive Experience in the Heart of Peckham
Drowning Light isn’t your standard “stare at a painting and nod thoughtfully” kind of art show. Expect video projections of Matthew Ball’s hypnotic movements, dramatic lighting, and a soundscape that fills the space like an ancient Greek chorus.
Set against the industrial backdrop of Copeland Gallery, this exhibition feels perfectly at home in Peckham’s thriving cultural quarter—a neighbourhood known for its boundary-pushing art, underground music, and experimental performances.
And in case you want to take a piece of the experience home, the official book launch of Drowning Light is set for early March.
Don’t Miss It: Key Details
📅 Dates: 7th – 9th February 2025
📍 Location: Copeland Gallery, Peckham
🎟 Entry: Free
Expect a stunning blend of fashion photography, ballet, and contemporary composition, all woven together into a mythological fever dream that lingers long after you leave.
