The world’s largest open submission contemporary art show, now in its 244th year is now on at The Royal Academy of Arts. I went a few days ago. Amazing to think it’s been going for such a long time, 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. We were there over jubilee weekend so lots of socialising, drinking Pimms and red, white and blue:-
The exhibition begins in the Wohl Central Hall, which this year pays homage to Matisse’s The Red Studio by having, not surprisingly bright red walls. The vibrant gallery provide a backdrop to a selection of paintings whose main concern is colour. Typically I failed to notice large exhibit number 1 which is outside in the courtyard by Chris Wilkinson on sale for £180,000.
The second room contains smaller pictures arranged in a “wave” shape – suggesting “rhythm and energy” and the prices here range from £15 to £32,000 – so something for everyone. I love the comments you hear on the way round as people ooh and aah and shake their heads in astonishment – my favourite ones were “I haven’t seen anything yet that I couldn’t have done myself” and “I could have done better than that in my pottery class”….
The next room contained prints selected by Chris Orr RA – lots of favourites for me including several prints by Tracey Emin at inexpensive prices (and not all of vaginas either).
The large Weston Room had some fantastic larger pieces in – one with lots of clothes pegs with naked people drawn on each one, next to a “Chicken Chair” made of animal bones and alongside a large blue painting called “Flood” selling for £300,000 (who decides on the prices??). Clearly no shortage of money around judging by the number of red dots already on certain paintings – some with values of £48,000. I noticed that “The Seven Ages of Man” – a perspex box containing 7 tennis balls of varying shades of grey by Tom Phillips RA hadn’t yet sold for £42,000.
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. I loved some of the sculptural exhibits – a little curled up feathered child (£12,000) and a tiny bronze “Pregnant Fairy” (£2,500). Quite liked the green neon flashing sign by Martin Creed (just like Tracey Emin’s) saying “DOGS” until I realised it was selling for £66,000.
Loved the last two near the end – the “Desk Chair” by Michael Craig-Martin RA for £100,000:-
and Tracey Emin’s large acrylic entitled “Upset”. A suitable title for me if I’d had to pay £165,000. Although I have to say I do love Tracey Emin and her brave artwork – she set us on the road to reality imagery with her bed way before the reality TV programmes arrived.
