Making space: the 256th Summer Exhibition to return to the Royal Academy of Arts
This year's summer exhibition to showcase cutting-edge art and architecture, coordinated by British sculptor Ann Christopher RA.
Installation view of the Summer Exhibition 2023 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, 13 June - 20 August 2023. Photo: © David Parry/ Royal Academy of Arts.
The highly anticipated 256th Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy is making its return this year, promising an exceptional showcase of contemporary art and architecture. This renowned event serves as a vital platform for artists, offering support and recognition to the creative community. Spearheaded by British sculptor Ann Christopher RA, this year’s exhibition will delve into the intriguing theme of making space, exploring the significance of openness and the spaces that connect and separate us.
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2022. Photo by MTotoe.
Visitors can look forward to a diverse array of works by invited artists, including Ackroyd & Harvey, Vivien Blackett, Diana Copperwhite, Andrew Pierre Hart, Permindar Kaur, and more. Additionally, pieces by esteemed Royal Academicians and Honorary Academicians, such as Ron Arad, Frank Bowling, and Rachel Whiteread, will be featured, alongside tributes to late Royal Academicians. The exhibition will also showcase a monumental textile sculpture by British artist Nicola Turner, engaging viewers in a dialogue between life and death.
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
In the Architecture rooms curated by Assemble RA, attendees can expect a thought-provoking exploration of spaces for making, celebrating the creative process and innovation within workspaces, studios, and manufacturing environments. The exhibit will welcome submissions that reflect the diverse nature of making as a process, from industrial prototypes to workspace artifacts. Notable architects like Elsie Owusu and Nigel Coates will be showcasing their work, alongside creative practices like Structure Workshop and Cooking Sections, encouraging a collaborative and unconventional approach to exploring the theme of making space. The 265th Summer Exhibition will mark the beginning of a summer filled with arts in the city, providing an opportunity for audiences to engage with the intersection of art, architecture, and the essence of making space.
Date: 18 June – 18 August 2024. Location: Royal Academy of Arts,Burlington House, Piccadilly, London W1J 0BD. Price: £22 - £24.50. Including donation. Book now.