Follow The Line

Public art, nature trails, film performances, light and sound installations - these are just a few of the free events and activities that you can enjoy as part of the Line, London’s first outdoor art gallery and public art walk.

Established in 2015, the Line follows the Greenwich Meridian, as it runs between the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the O2, including the Royal Docks. It features an evolving programme from some of the world’s most respected artists including Anish Kapoor, Tracey Emin, Gary Hume and Antony Gormley to name a few.

We are fortunate to have 5 incredible commissions, right here in the Royal Docks:

Madge Gill

Nature in Mind

This incredible tribute to Madge Gill was curated by Sophie Dutton. Madge lived and worked in Newham for more than 40 years and she created meticulous small-scale and monumental works, skilfully exploring different techniques and formats including paints, inks and textiles.

https://the-line.org/artist/madge-gill-3/

Laura Ford

Bird Boy (without a tail), 2011

The acclaimed sculpter Laura Ford has produced a work which can be interpreted in different ways. Is the boy we see wearing something protective or is there something more sinister at play?

https://the-line.org/artist/laura-ford/

Larry Achiampong

Sanko-time and What I Hear I Keep, 2020

Sanko-time is an audio work from the British-Ghanaian artist Larry Achiampong. It’s been designed to accompany the 20-minute round-trip on the Emirates Air Line cable car from Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Docks. You can get further details on this innovation here

https://royaldocks.london/whats-on/the-line-sanko-time-by-larry-achiampong.

Please note: What I hear I Keep artwork is currently undergoing maintenance.

Anne Hardy

Destination London, 2021

East London-based artist Anne Hardy has created an illuminating story based on the surrounding areas of the London City Airport. Five layered walls at the airport welcome millions of visitors every year.

https://the-line.org/collaboration/destination-london/

A free digital guide is available to accompany people as they explore the three-mile-long route. And it’s not just art, the Line is also a spectacular nature walk, featuring several of London’s greatest waters and industrial heritage sites, such as the Royal Docks. With the guide, you can experience the walk in the company of Bill Nighy, as the actor takes you on a tour through the hidden histories of the route, from the rivers and canals to the Trinity Buoy Wharf and Three Mills. Or if you’re looking for something a bit different, the guide has a specially commissioned mindfulness guide from London author Tessa Watt, whose walking meditations will bring you closer than ever to your surroundings. For more information on the Line, please visit www.theline.org/

The Line: Yinka Ilori

Types of Happiness, included as part of The Line's vibrant summer programme 2023

Types of Happiness is two 10ft high sculptural chairs, highly coloured with a Dutch wax print-like pattern. Designed by British-Nigerian artist Yinka Ilori, they are part of a collection of six chairs, where the artist explores the sixteen different types of happiness, which include pride, strength, excitement, happiness, calmness and determination. Each of the chairs is ascribed a different type, using the same colours, but in different combinations, to impact experience. The two chairs in the Royal Docks represent happiness and pride.