Summer Exhibition: Royal Academy of Arts until 12 August 2012

View of Gallery II from Gallery I Summer Exhibition 2011 Photo: John Bodkin, DawkinsColour

The Royal Academy’s annual Summer Exhibition marks the start of the Summer Season. The world’s largest open submission contemporary art show, now in its 244th year, continues the tradition of showcasing work by both emerging and established artists in all media including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film. The Summer Exhibition attracts a high volume of entrants annually with over 11,000 entries received this year. Royal Academician Tess Jaray is the co-ordinator for Summer Exhibition 2012.

Kenny Hunter Monument to a Mouse Acrylic resin 34 x 24 x 24 cm Courtesy of the artist © Studio Kenny Hunter

The exhibition will begin in the Wohl Central Hall, which, this year pays homage to Matisse’s The Red Studio. The vibrant gallery will provide a backdrop to a selection of paintings whose main concern is colour. Gallery III, the grandest space in Burlington House, is curated by Tess Jaray RA. Containing a large quantity of smaller paintings, the gallery demonstrates that work of a more modest scale can be as powerful as larger work. As a former teacher at the Slade School of Art, Jaray is mindful of providing a forum for established and younger artists to show their work to the public. Chris Wilkinson RA and Eva Jiricna RA have curated the architecture gallery of the Summer Exhibition. Their curatorial direction seeks to blur the boundaries between architecture and the fine arts.

Further highlights include a video room dedicated to the work of Jayne Parker and a gallery of Scottish and Irish artists arranged by Barbara Rae RA. Other artists exhibiting this year include Michael Craig-Martin RA, Michael Landy RA, Tracey Emin RA, Ken Howard RA, Anselm Kiefer Hon RA, Raqib Shaw, Calum Innes and Keith Coventry.

The Royal Academy of Arts was founded by George III in 1768. It has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to be a clear, strong voice for art and artists. Its public programme promotes the creation, enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts through exhibitions, education and debate.

Jeffery Camp RA Rose Bud Oil 30 x 30 cm Photo courtesy John Bodkin

One of the founding principles of the Royal Academy of Arts was to ‘mount an annual exhibition open to all artists of distinguished merit’ to finance the training of young artists in the RA Schools. This has been held every year without interruption since 1769 and continues to play a significant part in raising funds to finance the students. The majority of works in the Summer Exhibition 2012 are for sale, offering visitors an opportunity to purchase original artwork by high profile and up-andcoming artists. All those who support the Summer Exhibition contribute to supporting artists of the future.

Lecture Room Summer Exhibition 2011 Photo: John Bodkin, DawkinsColour

Following on from last year’s successful BBC TWO Summer Exhibition Culture Show Special, the Royal Academy of Arts is delighted to be working with the BBC once more.

MEMORIAL ARTISTS

The Summer Exhibition includes work by Academicians who have died in the past year. Works by John Hoyland (1934 – 2011), Adrian Berg (1929 – 2011) and Leonard Rosoman (1913 – 2012) are on view.

ANNENBERG COURTYARD

Chris Wilkinson RA has designed a graceful and engaging structure for the Royal Academy’s

Annenberg Courtyard. From Landscape to Portrait twists a series of eleven wooden frames through ninety degrees which incorporates innovative seating for visitors.

Chris Wilkinson’s installation is the latest work in the RA’s Summer programme of Sculpture in the Courtyard. It follows on from Jeff Koons’ Coloring Book (2011), Barry Flanagan’s Hare and Bell 1988, Nijinski Hare 1996 and Large Left-Handed Drummer 2006 (2010), Bryan Kneale’s Triton III (2009), Sir Anthony Caro’s Promenade (2008), Jake and Dinos Chapman’s The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth, but not the Mineral Rights (2007), Anselm Kiefer’s Jericho (2007), Rodin’s Gates of Hell (2006) and Damien Hirst’s Virgin Mother (2006).

WOLLASTON AWARD AND OTHER PRIZES

Established in 1978, the Royal Academy of Arts Charles Wollaston Award is, at £25,000, one of the largest and most prestigious art prizes in Britain. Previous winners include: Alison Wilding RA (2011), Yinka Shonibare (2010), Jeff Koons (2008), Gavin Turk (2007), Jake and Dinos Chapman (2003), Alan Charlton (2002), Marc Quinn (2001), Gerard Hemsworth (2000) and David Hockney RA (1999).

Each year, the Summer Exhibition recognises artists of exceptional merit by awarding a total of £70,000 prize money donated by commercial sponsors.

Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD

Tel: 020 7300 8000

Dates and Opening Hours

Open to the public: Monday 04 June – Sunday 12 August 2012 10am – 6pm daily (last admission 5.30pm)
Late night opening: Fridays until 10pm (last admission 9.30pm)

Admission

Admission prices include the List of Works giving details on every exhibit in the show.
£10.00 full price; £8.00 60 years+ and registered disabled; £7.00 NUS; £4.00 12-18 years and
Income Support; £3.00 8-11 years; Free for 7 years and under. RA Friends go free.

Tickets

Tickets are available daily at the RA or visit www.royalacademy.org.uk. Group bookings: Groups of 10+ are asked to book in advance. Telephone 020 7300 8027 or email groupbookings@royalacademy.org.uk

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Written by Editor