Sun-inspired sculpture on display at swimming pool

An art installation inspired by the sun has gone on display at a swimming pool.

The sculpture, created by artist Luke Jerram, has been suspended in Jubilee Pool in Bristol. The artwork will shine above the water and reflect across its surface for three weeks.

Named Helios after the ancient Greek mythological god who personified the sun, the piece measures five metres (16.4ft) in diameter and weighs about 50kg.

"I like creating artwork that brings people together and there's something nice about using a community space like this [Jubilee Pool] that's accessible to everybody," Jerram said.

The sculpture measures five metres in diameter and weighs about 50kg.

It was made using more than 400,000 high-resolution photographs of the surface of the sun and observational data from Nasa.

The sculpture has been displayed at the pool as part of a fundraising campaign to replace the main roof and install solar panels.

Jules Laming, chairwoman of trustees at Jubilee Pool, said the team were "thrilled" to host Helios.

"It is the first time that Helios has ever been hung over a swimming pool anywhere in the world, so this is a world exclusive," she said.

Jerram added: "It's also that opportunity in the middle of winter, when it's so dark and cold outside, to come here and have a swim underneath the sun.

After it leaves the pool on 8 February, Helios will be displayed in Manchester, before heading to Borneo, London and then to the US.

The Bristol-based artist recently celebrated 1,000 exhibitions in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Those include artworks at permanent museums and on public display, like nearby Palm Temple located on The University of Bristol campus.

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