This contemporary exhibition includes work by David Hockney, Catherine Yass, Marc Quinn, Philip Lorcia di Corcia and the late Kyffin Williams and Sandra Blow.
The 2007 Summer Exhibition runs from 11th June to 19th August. Every year the Royal Academy of Art attracts submissions from both unknown artists and well-known artists such as photographer Catherine Yass and artists Tracey Emin and David Hockney.
The Selection and Hanging Committee
The selection panel for 2007 included the Academy’s Chairman, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, plus twelve members of the Academy; all acknowledged as exceptional artists, architects, photographers or sculptors. In 2007 the Selection and Hanging Committee considered some 13,000 pieces. The gallery can exhibit less than 1,000 works so selection is ruthless.
The identity of each artist is not revealed to the panel so that selection is based purely on the merits of the work.
The raising of one of two metal sticks shows the panel’s decision. One stick is topped with the letter “X”. This indicates that the piece is definitely excluded from the exhibition. The second stick, topped with the letter “D”, indicates “doubtful”. The “doubtfuls” are eventually narrowed down to approximately 1000 items.
The prizes for the 2007 Exhibition amounted to some £70,000. Industrial and commercial sponsors as well as private individuals donated prizes. One of the most important prizes is the RA Charles Wollaston Award(£25,000). In previous years the award has gone to David Hockney and Marc Quinn to name but two. To come away from the Royal Academy with one of these prizes is no mean feat. As you can imagine prizes are only awarded to artists of exceptional merit.
Highlights of the 2007 Exhibition:
The Annenberg Courtyard
The Annenberg Courtyard is always fully utilised as an exhibition space for outdoor sculptures. The 2007 piece created by Jake and Dinos Chapman, entitled: “The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth, but not the Mineral Rights” stood 7 metres high at its tallest point and nearly 9 metres in length.
David Hockney’s “Bigger Trees Near Warter”
“Bigger Trees Near Warter” (this is the correct spelling) is the largest piece ever shown at the Academy’s Summer Exhibition. It is also Hockney’s largest project. It was painted in the open air and comprises a grid of 50 smaller canvases measuring in total 40 feet wide x 15 feet high, (12 metres in length x 4.5 metres high)
Photography – an Innovative Display
In 2007 a entire gallery was devoted to photography – a first for the Royal Academy. The show includes photographs by many renowned British photographers including Catherine Yass and Paul Graham. International photographers are represented by Candida Hofer, Philip Lorcia di Corcia and many others.
A second gallery compliments the photography and expands the theme of “Light” with a number of projection installations and light-boxes including Tony Oursler’s fascinating “Mugs”.
Memorial Displays
Every year the Royal Academy upholds the tradition of honouring the work of Royal Academicians who have died during the past year. This year there are two memorial displays dedicated to the work of Kyffin Williams RA and Sandra Blow RA.
Art for Sale
Most of the art on show is for sale. Prices start at around £55 so this is an excellent opportunity to purchase a unique item.
The Royal Academy is open daily from 10am – 6pm with late night opening until 10pm on Fridays. Further information can be obtained from their website or telephone 00 44 (0) 208 7300 8000. If you can't travel to the Royal Academy the website provides photographs of the exhibits.
