Looking for some winter sun? Be the first to see Luke Jerram’s newest and most ambitious artwork, Helios, at the London premiere at the Old Royal Naval College.

Co-commissioned by the Old Royal Naval College, this new seven-metre 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 sunny escape – sans passport –  in an extraordinary setting, complemented by an exceptional programme of events celebrating wellbeing and culture.

“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.” – Luke Jerram

Where: Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9NN

When: 25 January to 25 March 2025

Age: All

Ticket price: £16.50

More information from organisers:

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. Every centimetre of the seven metre internally lit artwork represents 2000km of the Sun’s fiery expanse. This is 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 2000km 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 the closest star to Earth.

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