Art / News
1km of ribbon to be wrapped inside and outside RWA building
A giant site-responsive artwork by Luke Jerram will be installed at the RWA as part of a new exhibition.
The Bristol artist will use 1000m of 20cm-wide magenta ribbon to take over the exterior of the gallery with the fabric then entering a window and exploring the interior of the historic building.
The planned work recalls the Crimes of Passion exhibition at the RWA in 2009 which saw inflatable tentacles and a crashed rocket installed on the roof of the gallery by Filthy Luker.
Jerram’s work will be called Negotiated Space and on show from June 10 at the RWA as well as continuing onto neighbouring buildings including the University of Bristol’s Beacon House.
The artwork promises to be “a joyful response” to the RWA’s Summer of Textiles, a season of exhibitions and events.
Jerram said: “RWA were looking for an art intervention that would help celebrate and advertise their latest 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!”
Luke Jerram is responsible for some of the best known public artwork in Bristol in recent years including the Park Street water slide, Play Me I’m Yours pianos and the giant inflatable Moon – photo: Martin Booth
RWA director, Ren Renwick, added: “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.”
Main photo: RWA
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
