Biography

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Luke Jerram's multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations, live arts projects and gifts. Living in the UK but working internationally since his career began in 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. His celebrated street pianos installation 'Play Me, I'm Yours' is currently touring and being shown in over 25 cities around the world. Launched by Mayor Bloomberg in NYC, the installation received extensive press coverage around the globe.

Jerram is known worldwide for his large scale public engagement artworks. The Sky Orchestra is one such project, which grew out of a 3 year NESTA Fellowship Jerram was awarded in 2001. In 2006 they were commissioned by the RSC and Fierce to fly over Statford-Upon-Avon and in 2007 they launched the Sydney Festival. In 2011 Jerram was commissioned by the Mayor of London and LIFT to fly over London to celebrate the Olympics, and 30th anniversary of London International Festival of Theatre.

Jerram's Glass Microbiology artworks are in private collections and in museums around the world. The work has recently been shown in Glasstress at the Venice Biennale and Museum of Art and Design in NYC. In 2010 Jerram won coveted Rakow Award for this work and a fellowship at the Museum of Glass, Washington. In 2009 his sculptures were presented at Mori Museum, Tokyo along with work by Damien Hirst, Warhol and Leonardo da Vinci and in 2007 Jerram won an Institute for Medical Imaging Award for this work.

Jerram also creates unusual artwork gifts for his friends and family. In 2006 he made a Talking Engagement Ring for his girlfriend. The ring has his proposal etched onto the outside of it which can be played back using a miniature record player. In 2011, the Talking Ring was presented at MOMA, Museum of Modern Art, NYC.

Working with the ISVR (Institute of Sound and Vibration Research), University of Southampton the team were awarded a £388k grant from EPSRC and a further grant from the Arts Council England to design, build and tour his artwork Aeolus. The artwork has just finished its 2011 UK tour.

Jerram’s ongoing research of perception is fueled by the fact that he is colour-blind. He studies the qualities of space and perception in extreme locations, from the freezing forests of lapland to the sand dunes of the Sahara desert. New ways of seeing and new artworks emerge from these research field trips. Works such as 'Retinal Memory Volume', Sky Orchestra and his glass virus sculptures have emerged from Jerram exploring the edges of perception.  Published by The Watershed, 'Art in Mind' is a book written by Jerram that tracks much of his perceptual research.

Jerram also works as a creative consultant where he feels confident in applying his creativity to any new situation. In 2007 his presentation in London to the DCSF helped secure £0.5million of funding for interactive exhibits in Bideford school. His recent clients include the new Science Park in Bristol, Wellcome Trust and the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company), Stratford.

In 2000 Jerram taught in war torn Mostar, Bosnia and he continues to teach and lecture both in the UK and abroad. In 2006 he was presented a Drawing Inspiration Award for his workshops with young people.

Jerram's first major commission was in 1997 by EMAF to create Retinal Memory Volume, an installation that creates three dimensional retinal after-image sculpture inside the mind of a viewer. 12 years later and this same work is still touring museums and festivals of the world. A miniature version of this work is installed at the Phaeno Museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.

 Luke Jerram lives in Bristol UK with his wife Shelina Jerram and two children.

Go to Press Area for images of Luke Jerram and his work.