News / luke jerram
Giant engine oil fountain sculpture premieres in Bristol
Luke Jerram’s latest artwork made to highlight society’s oil dependency is being presented to the public for the first time.
From Wednesday until July 2, visitors can catch a glimpse of Oil Fountain at Bristol Cathedral as the travelling exhibition premiers in our city.
Built over six months, the fountain flows with engine oil instead of water, continually and audibly cascading into black, mirror-like pools.
Jerram, whose acclaimed works include a mars sculpture and his Museum of the Moon, said he hopes the artwork sparks conversation around overcoming climate change.
“As you look around, virtually everything is made of plastic or oil,” the Stroud-born artist told Bristol24/7.
“Society is built around oil, but we really need to change this very quickly to avoid any kind of catastrophe.”
The sculpture is made from recycled acrylic, with details of plants and animals made extinct by humanity’s impact on nature laser-cut into the surface.
Jerram added: “Water fans were traditionally places where people would meet and talk and communicate.
“I’m hoping that this artwork will act in the same way as a place for people to get together and talk about climate change.”
After its two-week stint at Bristol Cathedral, Oil Fountain will tour museums, city festivals and art galleries across the world.
For more information, visit www.bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on/oil-fountain
All photos & video: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
- Bespoke art commissions at Bristol Beacon
- Singing and solenty as Bristol Cathedral screens Queen’s funeral
- Inside a Just Stop Oil meeting in Bristol
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