Southwark Cathedral is delighted that artist, Luke Jerram's spectacular and hugely popular artwork, Gaia, will be installed at the Cathedral from 11 October – 30 October

Measuring seven metres in diameter, Gaia features detailed imagery of the Earth’s surface compiled by the Visible Earth series at NASA. The artwork provides the opportunity to see our planet floating in three-dimensions. A specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award-winning Composer, Dan Jones, is played alongside the sculpture.

The Dean of Southwark, The Very Revd Andrew Nunn, said,

“We are excited as we prepare for the installation of Gaia in the cathedral. Focusing on the beauty of our planet and the wondrous nature of God’s good creation will help us move forward as we seek to play our part in addressing the challenge of climate change. God made all things good; it is we who have caused the damage.”

Artist, Luke Jerram, said,

“I hope visitors to Gaia 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. Halfway through the Earth’s six mass extinction, we urgently need to wake up, and change our behaviour. We need to quickly make the changes necessary, to prevent run away Climate Change.”

Southwark Cathedral will announce in late summer further details about how visitors can come and see Gaia and take part in associated activities. Our events programme will explore our relationship with our planet, climate change and the Church of England’s journey to being Net Carbon Zero. The Church of England’s fifth mark of mission “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth” will also be explored.

Chair of Friends of Southwark Cathedral, Clare Johnson, said,

The Friends of Southwark Cathedral exist both to care for the Cathedral and to support its mission, and so we are delighted to be able to support the Cathedral as it welcomes Luke Jerram's 'Gaia' installation this October. As the Cathedral steps up its ambitions to become carbon neutral, it is hoped the installation will give people from all walks of life the opportunity to contemplate our world from a different perspective, and to renew their appreciation of our beautiful and fragile 'pendant world' as we look to move to a more sustainable way of living.  

Details of Gaia’s opening hours and exciting associated events programme will be announced via Southwark Cathedral’s website, newsletter and social media.

Gaia will be open for visitors during the day and on selected evenings.  As we anticipate a high demand to see the exhibit we are operating an entry only by ticket system.  Entry during the day is free but tickets must be booked in advance.