Press
Contact Luke Jerram’s studio for high-res images.
Audience Numbers
In its launch year 2025:
• Over 118,000 people visited Helios on its tour around National Trust properties across the UK.
• Liverpool Cathedral in the UK had over 85,000 visitors in four weeks.
• 46,000 people came to see Helios in its first major exhibition at Old Royal Naval College in London.
• Across just one weekend, over 10,000 people saw Helios when it was installed outdoors for White Night Riga, Latvia.
Social Media
The public are generally blown away by their first encounter with the artwork. Visitors instantly take out their cameras and take photos and selfies. After a while they settle down to contemplate and spend time with the artwork. Social media users can engage with the artwork by sharing their responses and images using the hashtag #Helios. This contributes towards an understanding of how people from each location see and interpret the Sun, reflecting the culture of a location and its people.
Feedback
‘People could see it out their bathroom windows, they were kind of emerging from their houses, from all over… it was beautiful. Helios gave pride and common ground to all – it was a beautiful way to unite people and reminds us of the creativity that already exists within our communities.’ – Community Partner, Downham Green Estate, London, 2025
‘I think the immersive experience was particularly moving when a disabled child was able to be included in the exhibition by being taken from his chair and placed on a bean bag laid underneath the sun. The experience was multi-sensory and the sound made me want to stop, that’s what drew me in.’ – Visitor to Fountains Abbey, UK, 2025
‘It was the most wonderful experience having Helios in the saloon at Kedleston. It really had an emotional connection with people, and changed the atmosphere and energy in the room. We are all missing it now!‘ – Programme Manager at Kedleston Hall, UK, 2025