Wandering the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition

I once watched one of those BBC fly-on-the-wall documentaries following artists far and wide submitting their works in the hope of being chosen by the Royal Academy of Arts (RA) for its summer exhibition. I was hooked. It’s the thought that any mere mortal, like Sally from Basingstoke, can be chosen to be hung on the hallowed walls of the prestigious Royal Academy’s 254th Summer Exhibition that intrigues and inspires me. 

I mean how hard can it be to paint Too Hot Baby in a round circle and get accepted? I might just have a go one of these fair days.

Come take a wander with me.

Summer Exhibition 2022

It’s back after a rather long winter break and I’m happy to take a wander again too. Showcasing art in all forms, from prints, painting, film, and photography, to architectural works and sculpture by invited artists, Royal Academicians, and emerging talent.

The Summer Exhibition is as much a part of a big summer as The Henley Royal Regatta, Wimbledon, Glastonbury, and dare I say it buying a Mr. Whippy 99 ice cream, chocolate flake and all. In fact, see this tyre palm tree, I remember seeing something similar as we drove into Glastonbury Festival this year. Small world! I digress.

This enduring cultural event is not to be missed if you are in London. Over 10,000 works of art are submitted and about 1,500 are chosen by the hanging committee.

I love the diversity of the talent and finding a work of art that speaks to me. I respect being made to think about what the artist portrays. Some are lovely, others are funny and some are shocking. Everyone chosen plays a part in the bigger picture and has something to say about the theme.

2022 Theme

You don’t need to be a weatherman to know which way the wind blows! Bob Dylan

This year’s theme is ‘climate’. They invite works that reflect the natural world and given that I attend in the week that Britain records its hottest temperatures since records began, it’s a spot on-trend. 

Climate change and its implications is the defining issue of our age. According to Alison Wilding, 2022 Summer Exhibition Co-ordinator,  Climate is a huge and all-embracing and urgent subject. The works present as “crisis or opportunity, nightmare or memories, or simply everyday experiences of weather.

You don’t have to look like a twat to be an artist

For Sale

All works of art are for sale. In fact, one of my favourite things is to play the fun game of How much does this cost? We then compare the artwork to what it is priced at in the list of works. What I love about the Summer Exhibition is yes, you can spend a shed full of dosh, we spot art over 100,000 GBP but if you are quick on opening night, you can snaffle a twenty-five-pound bargain.

A number of the exhibitors intend to donate proceeds from their sales to Ukraine-related charities

Awards and Prizes

It is also fun to spot who the award winners are. The top award of 25,000 GBP goes to the artist for the most distinguished work in the exhibition. This year the top accolade went to Uta Kögelsberger for her video work, Cull,  highlighting the devastation of Californian forest fires.

Plan of the Galleries

There are many galleries to browse which are selected and hung by different members of the Royal Academy. 

I find it fascinating to read who has curated each room and where their starting points are for choosing their exhibits. For Instance in the Large Weston Room Niall McLaughlin RA says “we wanted to focus on the feeling of hope: that artists and designers can lead the argument for change”

Kathleen Ryan: Bad Lemon

Look out for

Bad Lemon: Kathleen Ryan. At first glance, the moldy lemon which is the cover star of the Summer Exhibition and on all their posters looks real. However up close you find it’s a gem-studded piece of fruit including jade, onyx, mother of pearl, and agate.

Entering works to the Summer Exhibition 2023

Go on, I know there are lots of fabulous artists who follow this blog. If you would like to enter works for next year’s exhibition you will find all the information you need at the RA website. Good Luck!

The details

Website: The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Address: Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BD

Opening hours: Tues–Sun: 10am–6pm

Nearest Tube Stations: Piccadilly Circus, Green Park, Oxford Circus, Bond Street

Final Thoughts

I hope you have enjoyed this little wander with me and that if you are in London in the next few weeks you will consider popping along to enjoy the exhibition. Do you like visiting art galleries? Is there a Summer Exhibition where you live?

If you have enjoyed this post you might like to read: Artists in the Bangkok Community, Ban Silipan Artist Community, The shambolic delight of the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi