Receive information on many other art events in London this summer – enjoy complimentary tickets to many prestigious art events across the UK all year around.
The Royal Academy’s annual Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open submission contemporary art exhibition. With the first exhibition held in 1769, it is also probably one of the oldest!
The Exhibition is now in its 242nd year and is continuing the tradition of showcasing the work of emerging talent and established artists alike. All media is represented, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film. This year’s theme is “Raw” and works will be selected by the co-ordinators, Stephen Chambers and David Chipperfield, along this theme.
A large number of entrants have once again submitted works this year: over 11,000! As with previous years, most of these works will be for sale: what a brilliant opportunity for visitors to invest in original artwork by both well established and beginning artists!
Traditionally, the exhibition has featured the work of Academicians and Honorary Academicians: this year is no exception to this rule. Artists including Antoni Tapies, Ed Ruscha, Michael Craig-Martin, Gillian Ayres and Tracey Emin will be exhibiting new work.
The space this year for the Architecture Gallery is the large Lecture Room, with the exhibits curated and organised by David Chipperfield. There will also be an “invited” room, curated by Fiona Rae, where the latest work of artists such as Nicola Tyson, Gary Webb, Martin Maloney, Nigel Cooke and Richard Patterson will be on display.
As a result of last year’s successful BBC TWO Series Culture Show special on the Summer Exhibition, the Royal Academy of Arts is delighted to be working with the BBC once more.
In honour of Academicians who have passed away during the last twelve months, a selection of their work will also be on display in the Fine Rooms as an extension to the Main Galleries. These artists are Craigie Aitchison RA, Jim Cadbury-Brown RA, John Craxton RA, Barry Flanagan RA, Freddie Gore RA, Donald Hamilton Fraser RA, Flavia Irwin RA and Michael Kidner RA.
As an adjunct to the Exhibition, in 2010, the Royal Academy of Arts have also organised a programme of special events, evening lectures and gallery talks which are as diverse as the artists themselves. Children aged from 8-13 will receive a free printed guide sheet to the exhibition, whilst younger visitors will be given an activity tray which includes art materials: just the thing to create their own artworks!
The Summer Exhibition 2010 is open to the public from Monday, 14th June through to Sunday, 22nd August. On Fridays, the Exhibition is open later (until 10.00pm, with last admission at 9.30pm): on all other days, the hours are 10.00 am – 6.00pm.
Visit some of the most prestigious art events across the UK with complimentary tickets available to our visitors.