Throughout June the Royal West of England Academy in Bristol are hosting ‘Negotiating Space’ – a giant experimental 1km long line drawing.

Made of 1,000 metres of 20cm wide magenta ribbon, the fabric takes over the exterior of the RWA building before entering a window and exploring the upper floor of the gallery. The artwork creates connections between civic spaces and institutions by continuing onto neighbouring buildings incuding; the University of Bristol’s Beacon House, Victoria Methodist Church and City Council land.

Luke Jerram said: “RWA were looking for an art intervention, that would help celebrate and advertise their latest textiles exhibition inside the building. This artwork is both a simple sculptural intervention of the space outside the museum and an experimental three-dimensional drawing. It’s been great fun, developing this new experimental project with the team. We’re literally taking a line, for a walk!”

Ren Renwick, Director, RWA said: ”Connecting with Luke to host this incredible piece of art celebrates great art from a fantastic Bristol artist and Academician. The RWA is all about presenting exceptional art that people can experience on their own terms. This is a joyful way to do that, while also shining a light on the RWA, a Grade II* Listed Art Gallery and one of the jewels in Bristol’s cultural crown, and the fantastic programme of exhibitions throughout this summer.”

A large-scale experimental drawing, the artwork is a joyful response to the ‘RWA’s Summer of Textiles’ – a season of exhibitions and events that are bursting with colour, narratives and texture.  The programme includes Soft Power: Lives told through textile art, an exhibition curated by internationally-renowned textile art pioneers, Professor Alice Kettle and Professor Lesley Millar MBE. The exhibition uses textiles as a form of portraiture: a vehicle to amplify hidden stories, challenge perceptions and celebrate shared human experiences.

The RWA will celebrate textiles this summer through more exhibitions and one-off events: Bristol Refugee Artists Collective ‘Sharing Love’ featuring a co-created dress from Dorcas Dress Project charity (DDP), Handstiched Heritage, a showcase of the work of Royal School of Needlework’s Apprentice and Future Tutor Alumni, Summer After-Hours Event with music from Diverse Artists Network and Connecting Threads from the RWA’s artists, the Academicians.

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