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. He is currently Visiting Senior Research Fellow at CFPR, University of West of England.

Jerram is known worldwide for his large scale public engagement artworks. His celebrated street pianos installation 'Play Me, I'm Yours' has been presented in over 35 cities so far, reaching an audience to date of over 3 million people around the world. Launched by the French Minister of Culture in Paris and Mayor Bloomberg in NYC, the installation has received extensive press coverage around the globe. In 2010 Jerram was voted ABC "Person of the week" for this work. 

Jerram's Glass Microbiology artworks are in museum collections around the world including The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), Shanghai Museum of Glass, Wellcome Collection (London), the Corning Museum, (USA). The work has recently been shown in Glasstress at the Venice Biennale and Museum of Art and Design in NYC. In 2010 Jerram won the 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. Jerram's sculptures have been presented in The Lancet, The BMJ and the front cover of Nature Magazine.

Jerram giving informal 12minute lecture in London 2012.

The Sky Orchestra is another critically acclaimed large scale touring 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 the Mayor of London and LIFT commissioned Sky Orchestra to fly over London to celebrate the Olympics, and 30th anniversary of the LIFT festival. This year they will fly over Derry for UK City of Culture.

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 project was presented at MOMA, Museum of Modern Art, NYC.

Jerram builds and manages specialist teams of engineers, craftsmen and technicians to help him realise his works. From composers to glassblowers, medieval musicologists to hot air balloonists. In this way, he says "I'm only limited by my imagination in what can be produced. Anything is possible."

Working with the ISVR (Institute of Sound and Vibration Research), University of Southampton the team were awarded a major 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 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 Microbiology 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. Clients include RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company), the Wellcome Trust, Channel4 and the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company). Launched by the Queen of England in 2010 the RSC Gallery led from this consultancy work.

In 2000 Jerram taught in war torn Mostar, Bosnia and he continues to teach and lecture both in the UK and abroad. His most notable lectures include those at The Banff Centre, ROM - Royal Ontario Museum,  ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art, Corning Museum, Wellcome Collection, Royal Collage of Art, The Ruskin School of Art, University of Washington, Nagoya University.

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.