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Preview: Jack Foley
SINCE the foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts in
1768, the annual Summer Exhibition has been the
world’s largest open-submission contemporary art exhibition.
Now in its 237th year, the exhibition continues the tradition
of displaying a wide range of new work by both established and
unknown artists in all mediums including painting, printmaking,
sculpture and architecture.
The exhibition co-ordinators for the 2005 Summer Exhibition are
Professor Stephen Farthing RA and Professor
Christopher Orr RA.
Following the tradition of having a dedicated theme running throughout,
this year’s special focus will be the use of multiple images
or objects across all mediums.
The broad theme of the multiple image or object will cover printmaking,
and in addition to the very popular print room, another gallery,
curated by both Stephen Farthing and Chris Orr, will be dedicated
to the use of multiples in all its manifestations including works
created using mechanical or technological intervention.
A number of photographs and sculpture editions will be displayed
alongside more conventional examples of printmaking. Internationally
acclaimed artists whose work will be exhibited include Paula Rego,
Langlands and Bell, Mimmo Paladino, Richard Hamilton, Helen Frankenthaler,
Chuck Close and Louise Bourgeois.
Ed Ruscha, elected an Honorary Academician
in May last year, and representing America at this year’s
Venice Biennale, will be the featured artist
for this year’s Summer Exhibition.
Allen Jones RA is working with Ed Ruscha to curate a gallery
within the exhibition. Concentrating mainly on his multiple works
it will include photographs and books in addition to some paintings.
To complement the exhibition, David Nash RA
will display three of his sculptures in the Annenberg Courtyard.
Expanding on his central theme exploring the relationship between
man and nature, Pyramid, Sphere and Cube, 1997-98 are based on
the universal geometry of these three forms.
A life-long researcher into the language of wood, his sculptures
combine the remote rugged environment of North Wales with an ability
to draw out the subtle nuances of different woods.
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The Summer Exhibition traditionally
includes special displays of works by Honorary and Royal Acadamicians
who have died during the previous year.
This year will include memorials to the late Peter Coker
and the late Norman Adams.
Peter Coker died in December 2004 and was a vibrant and challenging
landscape painter who became a member of the RA in 1972. This
display of his work will explore his career.
The painter, Norman Adams, who died in March, also joined the
Academy in 1972 and became Keeper of the Schools in 1986, a post
he held for nine years.
Each year, the Summer Exhibition presents a series of awards
totalling £70,000 of prize money for artists of exceptional
merit.
Each prize is donated by commercial and industrial sponsors as
well as by generous individuals including Winsor and Newton, The
Architects Journal and Jack Goldhill.
Established in 1978, the RA Charles Wollaston Award is, at £25,000,
one of the largest and most prestigious art prizes in Britain.
The Selection Committee for 2005, will consist of Dame Elizabeth
Blackadder, Olwyn Bowey, Maurice Cockrill, Eileen Cooper, Stephen
Farthing, David Hockney, Paul Huxley, Leonard McComb and Chris
Orr (painters and printmakers), James Butler, John Maine and David
Nash (sculptors), Peter Cook, Eva Jiricna and Sir Richard MacCormac
(architects).
Following tradition, the newly appointed President of the Royal
Academy, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw, will chair the Committee.
EVENTS PROGRAMME
The Summer Exhibition 2005 is complemented by a diverse programme
of special events, evening lectures and gallery talks.
For families there are specific gallery talks, plus family workshops.
For children aged between 8 and 13 there is a free printed guide
sheet to the exhibition. Activity trays, including art materials,
are available for younger visitors to create their own works of
art.
DATES AND OPENING HOURS
Open to the public: Tuesday, June 7 – August 15, 2005 (closed
from 2pm on June 20)
10am - 6pm daily (last admission 5.30pm)
Late night opening: Fridays until 10pm (last admission 9.30pm)
ADMISSION
Admission prices include the List of Works giving details on every
exhibit in the show.
£7 full price, £6 60 years+ and registered disabled;
£5 NUS; £3 12-18 years and Income Support; £2
9-11 years. £16 family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children
under 18 years)
Our picture shows Gavin Turk
Four Che, Seven Hues (working title) 2005. Courtesy
Jay Jopling/White Cube (London)
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