Hymn to the Big Wheel

This winter the grounds of Orleans House Gallery will come alive with colour as the Hymn to the Big Wheel installation, by internationally renowned artist Liz West, takes up residence in our courtyard. 

Hymn to the Big Wheel is an immersive sculptural work exploring the illusion and physicality of colour and natural light in space. Consisting of a multi-coloured octagon nestled within a larger octagonal shape, the work encourages the viewer to reposition and align themselves to different colourways to see a changing scope of colours mixing before their eyes. 

Constructed using transparent coloured sheets, the work prompts the playful movement of visitors to explore the work in context with their surroundings, creating an intriguing interplay of coloured shadows for people to discover.  

You will become a performer within the work as you move around the inside and outside of the structure to explore the changing optics and colourways mixing within the installation. The jewel-like colours create diverse mixes and blends when viewed from different angles from around the installation. 

So come and explore, create and enjoy the magical winter light as it plays with the colours of the sculpture throughout December. What shadows will you create? 

The installation will launch at a special, free, after-hours event on Friday 2 December, where it will be lit for the first time. The event will also celebrate the opening of the Winter Show with live music and delicious festive treats and warming drinks available at the Stables Café.  

The installation will also be open during our Christmas Shopping Weekend on Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December.