Marking the summer solstice, Helios XVI aligns with the sun so that its face is fully lit only on the longest day of the year. The carved sphere at its top suggests the Earth, linking cosmic cycles to our daily experience of light and time.
About the Artist: Barry Mason (b. 1952) is a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors with a particular interest in sun paths, shadows, and the rhythms of nature.
This sculpture is one of several artworks that make up the Thorpe Meadows Sculpture Trail, part of the Nene Park Sculpture Collection. Set alongside the River Nene and Peterborough Rowing Lake, the trail invites visitors to discover contemporary sculptures in a beautiful riverside setting. Whether you’re walking, cycling, or picnicking nearby, each piece adds an extra layer of creativity to the landscape, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.