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See the Painted Hall in a new light

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

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 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

Social Media Mondays [Every Monday] - Book Now
Time: 10:15am – 11:15am
To better facilitate those looking for the perfect shot, the Social Media ticket has reduced capacity. Posing and selfies are encouraged! Use the hashtag #ORNCHelios for a chance to be featured on the ORNC socials.

Quiet Hour Fridays [Every Friday] - Book now
Time: 10:15am – 11:15 am
This session is intended for those that want to appreciate the space in a more relaxed environment with a reduced number of visitors. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodiverse adults and children, and any other visitors with sensory needs who may prefer a more relaxed experience.

Thursday Lates - Book Now
Time: Every Thursday | Open to 8:00pm
Stay up late with Helios. The Painted Hall is open every Thursday evening for a glowing night-time experience.

About Helios
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 200km 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 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).