Michael Craig-Martin’s life has been as colourful and varied as his distinctive work. He has enjoyed international success with major exhibitions around the world, high-profile commissions and numerous honours. In this event, the RA’s Artistic Director Tim Marlow joined Craig-Martin to discuss what it takes to coordinate the RA’s Summer Exhibition and to consider the development of his career and the evolution of the art world over the last half century.

The event was held to celebrate Craig-Martin’s new book, On Being An Artist (published April 2015). A selection of the artist’s writings, this book considers with both wit and candour the guiding influences and inspirations on his professional life, through a series of short and entertaining episodes. He recounts his time studying at Yale University School of Art, his emergence as a key figure of early conceptual art in Britain, and his experience as a teacher at Goldsmiths, where he nurtured generations of students including several future RAs – Michael Landy, Gary Hume and Lisa Milroy.

Read an extract from Michael Craig-Martin RA’s book, On Being an Artist. The Summer Exhibition will be in the main galleries until 16 August 2015.