Helios London premiere

For those craving a glimpse of sunshine during the grey days of the English winter, the Old Royal Naval College proudly presents the London premiere of Luke Jerram’s new touring artwork, Helios.

Co-commissioned by the Old Royal Naval College, this new seven-meter celestial artwork by the celebrated British installation artist will bring light and wonder to the majestic Painted Hall, one of the most impressive Baroque interiors in Europe. Helios promises a dazzling ‘winter sun’ escape in an extraordinary setting, complemented by an exceptional programme of events celebrating wellbeing and culture.

Named after the ancient Greek and Roman sun god, symbolic of time and life, Helios honours the Sun’s profound impact on human history and culture. Its light and warmth are vital to life on Earth, shaping our health, mood, and traditions. During the cold, dark English winter, Helios invites audiences to explore themes of solar cycles, mental wellbeing, and the rich tapestry of cultural rituals inspired by our life-giving star.

Given the inherent dangers associated with looking directly at the Sun, Helios offers a rare opportunity to closely examine the star’s extraordinary surface in astonishing detail. At a scale of 1:200 million, every centimetre of the seven metre internally lit masterpiece represents 200km of the Sun’s fiery expanse. Visitors will be captivated by the intricate beauty of sunspots, spicules, and filaments, including the solar activity that produced the UK’s mesmerising Northern Lights in May 2024. The imagery for the artwork has been compiled using photographs of the Sun provided by Astrophotographer Dr Stuart Green (taken between May 2018 to June 2024) and NASA observations of the Sun, with guidance from solar scientist, Professor Lucie Green of University College London (UCL).

The installation is a fusion of solar imagery, sunlight and a specially created surround sound composition by acclaimed artists Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson. Together, the soundscape and sculpture take audiences on a sensory journey, igniting curiosity and awe about both our closest star and the beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s Painted Hall.

The Painted Hall, often referred to as “Britain’s Sistine Chapel”, provides an extraordinary setting for Helios. The installation strikingly complements the Baroque masterpiece, painted by Sir James Thornhill between 1707 and 1726. Visitors can draw parallels between Helios and the depiction of Apollo, the classical sun god, who can be seen driving his chariot across the ceiling’s central oval, casting light over joint sovereigns King William III and Queen Mary II who acceded to the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1689.

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK, but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created multiple extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. In 2019 Luke Jerram was elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Helios follows Jerram’s acclaimed installations, including Gaia, Museum of the Moon, and Mars.

Artist Luke Jerram comments: The soundscape, lighting and sheer scale of Helios, make this the most dramatic and ambitious of my designs and I cannot wait to see it showcased in the Painted Hall. This installation is designed to be thought-provoking and inspire awe. It is also a unique opportunity to discover the grandeur of this iconic Hall and the many celestial, mythological and historical themes it explores in its painted ceiling.

Matthew Mees, Chief Executive at Old Royal Naval College said: Old Royal Naval College’s collaboration with Luke Jerram on Helios reflects the power of partnerships in creating extraordinary cultural experiences. Co-commissioning this brilliant artwork demonstrates how we can combine expertise and creativity to bring innovative projects to life. Together, we illuminate the beauty and mystery of the sun, the magnificence of the Painted Hall as well as the stories behind the paintings. We hope that Helios inspires people to explore art, science and heritage in new and meaningful ways.

Helios has been co-commissioned by the National Trust, Cork Midsummer Festival, Liverpool Cathedral, Old Royal Naval College, and University College London.

A series of special events will be hosted around Helios, highlights include Step into the Cosmos, a silent disco in the Painted Hall and an exclusive Sustainable Fine Dining Experience with Douglas McMaster, chef and owner at Silo, the world’s first Zero Waste restaurant.