Gaia at Hereford Cathedral

Hereford Cathedral is thrilled to announce that it will be hosting Luke Jerram’s, Gaia from Saturday 29 May – Sunday 20 June 2027.

The seven-metre-wide sculpture, which will be suspended from the ceiling of the cathedral nave, will invite visitors to stare up in wonder and reflect on our place within the world. Gaia uses detailed NASA imagery to recreate a version of the Earth which is 1.8 million times smaller than our planet and playing alongside the artwork will be a specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning composer Dan Jones.

An immersive and contemplative experience, the installation creates a sense of the ‘Overview Effect’, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. When looking at Earth from outer space, astronauts often feel a sense of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.

The Very Revd Sarah Brown, Dean of Hereford, said “For many of us right now the world can feel like a fractured place, defined by uncertainty and fear for the future. Gaia will give us the opportunity to realise its beauty, reflect on our place in it and marvel at how we find ourselves benefitting from its abundance. It also will make us think about how we might treat the world, and each other, better.”

Gaia is a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram who is known worldwide for his large-scale public artworks and was made to communicate a sense of the fragility of our planet. Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects including Museum of the Moon, Mars and Helios which, as well as touring internationally, have been hosted in many cathedrals across the country.

Luke Jerram said “I am delighted to bring my artwork Gaia to the beautiful architectural setting of Hereford Cathedral. I hope that visitors get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful and precious place. An ecosystem we urgently need to look after – our only home.”