The Royal Academy presents the 256th Summer Exhibition, a unique celebration of contemporary art and architecture, providing a platform and support for artists at all stages of their career.
This year’s exhibition has been coordinated by British artist and Royal Academician Ann Christopher.
There is often artwork in the Annenberg Courtyard and this year is no exception with the Meddling Fiend by Nicola Turner.
Works by invited artists this year include Ackroyd & Harvey, Vivien Blackett, Diana Copperwhite, Andrew Pierre Hart, Permindar Kaur, Radhika Khimji, Kathy Prendergast, Rachel Whiteread and Charmaine Watkiss. In addition to the large number of public submissions, Royal Academicians and Honorary Academicians will be showing works, including Ron Arad, Frank Bowling, Michael Craig-Martin, Anselm Kiefer, Conrad Shawcross, Clare Woods and Rose Wylie.
The exhibition lists 17000 works, in a range of media and as you walk through the galleries it is useful to have your free catalogue that lists all the works.
Each work has a number and no other distinguishing information, so many visitors are busy checking the catalogue.
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is one of the great English Art traditions, it is the world’s oldest open-submission exhibition being established in 1768 whose long line of exhibitors reads like a Who’s Who of British Art. Some of the earliest exhibitors included the likes of Reynolds, Constable and Turner, however the exhibition prides itself that it offers a snapshot of contemporary art.
Part of the fun is walking around the exhibition and spotting work by established artists and exciting newcomers.
Some of the highlights include Neuer Ruckenakt by Wolfgang Tillmans,
The Quartet by Ron Arad,
Hortus Conclusus by Anselm Keifer,
and Silver Slipper and Bushlite by Frank Bowling.
Each room offers a kaleidoscope of colour and images in a range of media, from painting, printmaking, film and photography to sculpture and architectural works.
Works from all over the world are judged democratically on merit and the final selection is made during the eight-day hang in the galleries.
The majority of works in the Summer Exhibition are for sale, offering visitors an opportunity to purchase original work. Funds raised support the exhibiting artists, the postgraduate students studying in the RA Schools and the not-for-profit work of the Royal Academy.
This entertaining and fun exhibition has a large number of wonderfully eclectic works on display, there is really something for everyone regardless of your particular artistic taste. The Summer Exhibition is one of the highlights of the London art world and usually attracts a wide range of visitors. It also offers a rare opportunity to buy works from well-known and not so well-known artists with prices ranging from a few hundred to over a hundred thousand pounds.
For more information and tickets, visit the Royal Academy website here
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