The 25th Private View of
the Summer Exhibition
At The Royal Academy in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.
T
he Royal Academy’s
Summer Exhibition is the
largest open contemporary
art exhibition in the world
drawing together a wide
range of new works by both
established and emerging
artists. Held annually since
the Academy’s foundation in
1768, the exhibition attracts
more than 200,000 visitors
during its three month run.
The Co-ordinator of this year’s
248th Anniversary was the
sculptor Richard Wilson. He
wanted each room to have a
WOW factor and he succeeded.
He also wanted a theme and
this he did by ‘artistic duos’
being selected throughout the
galleries. There were 22 duos
present in the exhibition spread
throughout fourteen galleries.
The WOW in the courtyard
came from SPYRE by sculptor
Ron Arad, a camera which
recorded guests arriving then
transported the moment to a
screen above the entrance. The
staircase was a photographic
installation with extraordinary
images showing the aftermath
of the Chernobyl disaster by
Jane & Louise Wilson. A very
Baroque atmosphere with huge
chandeliers made this very
interesting and thought
provoking viewing while waiting
to enter the Central Hall. The
WOW factor here had to be
FOREVER (YELLOW) an
enamelled aluminium with
neon & LED lamps by artistic
duo Tim Noble & Sue Webster.
A wide range of new works by both established and emerging artists.
Gallery after gallery provided a
spectacular but overwhelming
showcase. The coveted Royal
Academy of Arts Charles
Wollaston Award, with a prize of
£25,000, was awarded to
Sculptor David Nash RA for BIG
BLACK, a huge charred
redwood, the most
distinguished work in the
exhibition.
An artist can submit a
maximum of two works. This
has not changed since the
Academy’s foundation and a
committee of
Royal
Academicians,
who are all
practising artists
or architects,
say “Yes” or
“No” to each
entry. It is as
simple as that –
even Edouard
Manet and
Constable were
turned down at
some point and
Auctioneer Adrian Biddell, from Waterhouse and
Dodd, encouraging everyone to bid.
Stanley Spencer
Visit The London & UK DatebooK on www.thedatebook.co.uk
had three pictures
rejected.
Guests wandered
freely through the
galleries where
champagne and
canapés by
Mosimann were
served. Raffle tickets
were on sale from
Marie Curie
volunteers and guests
could view a silent
auction placing bids
using the interactive
bidding system. The
main auction took
place in Gallery 3
however the PA
system wasn’t very
good, making it
difficult to hear the
speeches as well as
auctioneer Adrian Biddell.
This Marie Curie Cancer Care
event is always a fabulous
evening and over the 25 years
has gained more and more
followers. The evening raises
funds for the charity’s
The 25th Private View.
worthwhile work, providing highquality specialist nursing,
without charge, and giving care
and support through terminal
illness.
LYNNE WARNER
THE LONDON & UK DATEBOOK
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