A spectacular illuminated sculpture of the moon, created by renowned artist Luke Jerram, will be displayed at the recently renovated Cathedral Isle of Man, in Peel, from 9th February to 2nd March 2025. Known as the Museum of the Moon, the installation which has toured globally, will be a focal point for a series of community events during its time on the island.
Supported by funding from the Isle of Man Arts Council’s Extraordinary Events Fund, the exhibit features a 7m (22ft) diameter moon replica, constructed using high-resolution NASA imagery that intricately mirrors the lunar surface. A specially designed soundscape by award-winning composer Dan Jones will accompany the installation, enhancing the immersive experience for visitors to the Cathedral.
Rosemary Clarke from Cathedral Isle of Man, described the upcoming exhibition as an “unforgettable experience” and noted that a diverse range of lunar-themed activities, including art workshops, pilates sessions and choral performances, will be held beneath the illuminated moon during its time in the Cathedral.
The sculpture, scaled at approximately 1:500,000 of the actual moon, translates each centimetre of the artwork into 5km (3.1miles) of the lunar surface. Having already drawn over 20 million visitors in more than 40 countries—including China, the US, and India—the artwork has been exhibited in varied and unique settings around the world, such as forests, swimming pools, and churches.
The massive 23 metre wide, high resolution image used to create the moon artwork, was created by the Astrogeology Science Centre in the USA. The imagery was taken by a NASA satellite carrying the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera launched in 2010.
Artist Luke Jerram highlighted the universal appeal of the installation, noting that it "can be enjoyed as much by a four-year-old child as by a professional astronomer" and that the moon holds a special place in cultures worldwide. The Museum of the Moon was inspired by living in Bristol and noticing the huge tidal variation as he cycled over the Avon Cut each day. His moon research also led to his artwork Tide. In 2019 Luke was made a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in the UK but working internationally since 1997, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects which have excited and inspired people around the globe. Jerram has a set of different narratives that make up his practice which are developing in parallel with one another. He is known worldwide for his large-scale public artworks.
Last year, more than 13,000 visitors attended a similar event at St Thomas' Church in Douglas, also supported by the Isle of Man Arts Council, which featured Jerram’s Gaia, a giant model of the Earth. Rosemary Clarke expressed hope for similar enthusiasm around the Museum of the Moon at Peel Cathedral, saying, “People were excited by the Earth, so we hope to see a similar number come to experience the moon.”
The free exhibition will be open daily from 9am - 6pm, offering an inspiring artistic and cultural experience for visitors of all ages.
To keep up to date with information about the upcoming exhibition and linked activities, visit the Museum of the Moon IOM Facebook Page
