Luke Jerram unveils giant Oil Fountain artwork

A new sculpture featuring a giant fountain spilling oil is being unveiled in Bristol.

The installation is the latest work by internationally renowned artist, Luke Jerram, best known for his installations and live art projects which aim to highlight ongoing climate issues around the world.

Oil Fountain is perhaps his most confronting work to date.

The beautiful and disconcerting artwork has been created using engine oil and recycled acrylic, with details of plants and animals made extinct as a consequence of the industrial revolution and humanity’s impact on nature, laser-cut into the surface.

The giant fountain aims to highlight how contemporary society is reliant on oil and the need to move away from this dependency.

Luke hopes the sculpture will stimulate debate and discussion about the need for climate action.

Oil Fountain is intended to subvert the traditional history of the water fountain as a  source of safe drinking water and a meeting place for communities.

Contemporary society is built around the use of oil, in the form of fuel, clothing, plastics and even food production.

The fountain oozes thick engine oil – photo: Spirit Public Relations

Surrounding architecture and visitors are reflected in the mirrored surface of the oil – photo: Spirit Public Relations

Luke hopes Oil Fountain will become a place for organisations and individuals fighting climate change to meet and discuss their work. A series of films of viewers discussing their responses to the piece will also be broadcasted over the coming months.

Chloe Naldrett, a supporter of Just Stop Oil, who is a theatre producer and mother of two from Bristol responded to the work: “Luke Jerram’s beautiful and horrifying new installation reveals the sickness at the heart of our society: oil flows through our lives like a river of death.

“We know that our dependence on it is causing both the climate crisis and the cost of living crisis, and yet, like a smoker dying of cancer, our Governments refuse to give up on the addiction which is killing us.

“My hope is that the sinister, visual impact of Oil Fountain will make it clear just how urgently we need to force the transition into a world where our children have a future,” she continued.

“Our Government needs to find the courage to immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK.”

All materials for Oil Fountain will be recycled again at the end of the project.

The work is currently stationed at Paintworks, and will be launched to the public in February 2023, after which it will take a tour around museums, city festivals and art galleries worldwide.

Luke brought his work, ‘Earth’ to Cop26 last year, and also has a smaller version at Cop27 this year.

The prolific artist also has work in permanent collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Wellcome Collection in London.

Main photo: Spirit Public Relations

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