The Summer Exhibition in 60 seconds
Never been to the Summer Exhibition before? Find out what all the fuss is about in this short film.
About the Summer Exhibition
The largest open submission exhibition in the world
About the Summer Exhibition
Held every year since 1769, the Summer Exhibition displays works in a variety of mediums and genres by emerging and established artists.
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The Summer Exhibition is the world’s oldest open submission exhibition – which means that anyone can enter their work to be considered for inclusion. It’s happened every year since 1769, and each year a Royal Academician, such as Yinka Shonibare RA, Grayson Perry RA and Jock McFadyen RA, coordinates the exhibition.
In recent years, the exhibition has featured new works by Royal Academicians, Honorary Academicians and artists, including David Hockney RA, Wolfgang Tillmans, Tracey Emin, Bruce Nauman, Wim Wenders and Ed Ruscha.
The works in the Summer Exhibition are selected and hung by Royal Academicians, who also exhibit works in the exhibition, creating an eclectic mix of work by established artists alongside emerging talent and first-time exhibitors. In previous years, nearly two thirds of the exhibits were by non-Academicians, £50,000 worth of prizes was awarded, and over 5,000 works were sold.
Everything you’ll see at the Summer Exhibition represents what is happening in the art world right now. It features new and recent art created by everyone, from emerging artists to the biggest names in contemporary art and architecture. Now more than 250-years-old, the Summer Exhibition continues in the tradition of showcasing a variety of work in all media, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, architecture and film. This must-see exhibition is a unique window onto all areas of the contemporary art world.
Since 2015 all of the works in the Summer Exhibition have been available to browse online with our Summer Exhibition Explorer, with many of the pieces available to purchase.
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Entering your work
The deadline for submitting artworks has now passed. The results of the first round of judging will be sent out on Wednesday 22 March.
Each year, a different committee of artists and architects select over 1,000 works for display. This year, the committee is led by the celebrated British painter, David Remfry and includes, Peter Barber, Eileen Cooper, Bill Jacklin, Katherine Jones, Tim Shaw and Clare Woods.
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Since 2005 the Summer Exhibition has been sponsored by
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RA Exhibitions
7 months ago
Video: Clara Amfo on how to start your own art collection
Radio broadcaster, TV presenter, long-time art collector, and Royal Academy trustee Clara Amfo popped into the 2022 Summer Exhibition to share her top tips on art buying for any taste and budget.
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RA Exhibitions
8 months ago
Buying prints at the RA
Alongside this year’s Summer Exhibition, you can also find several free displays across our buildings – each showcasing artworks ready to bring home. Here are three highlights, chosen by print enthusiasts.
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RA Exhibitions
8 months ago
The Artists of the Summer Exhibition 2022
Meet some of the artists from this year’s show and find out more about their work and their feelings on the theme of Climate.
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RA Exhibitions
9 months ago
Bombs, dots and rockstars: seven stories of the Summer Exhibition
From frenemy feuds to a bomb through the roof, the storylines of the Summer Exhibition could make a TV drama – so no wonder it’s often featured on screen. Here are just a few of our favourite episodes…
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RA Exhibitions
9 months ago
Nine things to know about the Summer Exhibition
An invitation to artists everywhere, a story that goes back to Turner – and a top secret tea recipe. Here’s what you need to know about a weird and wonderful art tradition that’s over 250-years-old.
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RA Exhibitions
9 months ago
Seven tips for starting your own art collection
There are over 1,000 works in the Summer Exhibition – and most of them are for sale. So how do you choose? Here are our top tips for buying your first pieces of original art.
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RA Exhibitions
1 year ago
Video: Annette Fernando at the Summer Exhibition 2021
Annette Fernando – a first-time exhibitor at the Summer Exhibition – talks us through her work, ‘Stop being so damn understanding’ which is so intricate, it’s often mistaken for a photo.
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RA Exhibitions
> 1 year ago
Linton Kwesi Johnson on poetry as an act of resistance
Yinka Shonibare RA invited the renowned Brixton-based reggae poet Linton Kwesi Johnson to bring his powerful words to the Summer Exhibition. Caleb Azumah Nelson sits down with him to discuss the poetry of resistance.
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RA Exhibitions
> 1 year ago
Behind the scenes of the 2021 Summer Exhibition
This year, Yinka Shonibare RA is putting marginalised voices at the heart of the Summer Exhibition. Here, Kadish Morris explores the vision and art for this year’s show.
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RA Exhibitions
> 1 year ago
Inside the Summer Exhibition 2021 with Yinka Shonibare RA
Summer Exhibition coordinator Yinka Shonibare RA explains his vision for this year’s show
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RA Exhibitions
< 2 years ago
Yinka Shonibare’s vision for the Summer Exhibition 2021
Summer Exhibition co-ordinator Yinka Shonibare explains how he’s “reclaiming magic” in this year’s show.
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RA Exhibitions
> 2 years ago
Inside the Summer Exhibition 2020 with Jane and Louise Wilson RA
Join coordinators Jane and Louise Wilson RA as they introduce the 252nd Summer Exhibition and discuss the challenges of putting it all together during a pandemic.
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RA Exhibitions
> 2 years ago
Inside the first-ever socially distanced Summer Exhibition
For the first time in its 252-year history, the Summer Exhibition will fall in winter. Amy Sherlock speaks to this year’s co-ordinators, film and photography duo Jane and Louise Wilson RA, who are steering the show into new waters.
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RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
Thomas Houseago: Summer Exhibition 2019
“There’s an experience that art can offer which is this strange combination of activating the eyes, the mind, the body and a kind of emotional spectrum.”
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RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2019 prizes announced
Printmaker, painter and sculptor Joe Tilson RA has won the 2019 Charles Wollaston award for the “most distinguished work” in the Summer Exhibition.
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RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
Exploring this year’s Summer Exhibition with coordinator Jock McFadyen RA
Feeling overwhelmed by all the art to see in this year’s Summer Exhibition? Here’s some guidance from poet and art critic Kelly Grovier, who met with the show’s coordinator to discuss its themes before selecting his own standout works to see.
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RA Exhibitions
> 3 years ago
Video: Alexa Chung at the Summer Exhibition
Join presenter and fashion designer Alexa Chung for a (very) private view of this year’s Summer Exhibition, as she picks out some of her favourite works.
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Our Collection
> 4 years ago
Top picks from the RA Collection: Tamara Rojo
As the dancer and Artistic Director of English National Ballet speaks at the RA’s first Festival of Ideas, we caught up with Tamara Rojo to hear about the art that has inspired and intrigued her – from the work she used to prepare for dancing Swan Lake, to the painting she dreams of owning.
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Our Collection
> 4 years ago
How to read it: The Exhibition of the Royal Academy in Pall Mall, 1771
How much has the Summer Exhibition changed in 250 years? As the Great Spectacle exhibition looks back at the masterpieces from its history, we head back to 1771 to explore a work that documented the exhibition itself.
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Our Collection
> 4 years ago
The RA Collection in 250 objects: The Summer Exhibition
To celebrate our 250th birthday, we’re highlighting 250 beautiful, odd and inspiring objects from the RA Collection in 25 themes. In this edition, with the Summer Exhibition on display, and another RA exhibition – The Great Spectacle – looking back at its history, we explore some works in the Collection from Summers gone by.
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Our Collection
> 4 years ago
‘Deeds not words’: Suffragettes and the Summer Exhibition
The Great Spectacle charts 250 years of Summer Exhibitions – including 1914, when Suffragette Mary Wood attacked a John Singer Sargent portrait with a meat cleaver. We delve into the Royal Academy’s archive to find out how the Academy, and the public, reacted.
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RA Exhibitions
> 4 years ago
Tracing British art through 250 years of the Summer Exhibition
The Summer Exhibition has filled the RA’s galleries every year since 1769 – it’s been a witness (and a player) in many of British art history’s biggest moments. Jenny Uglow takes a look at the art that’s caused drama, changes, protests and celebration over the past quarter millennium.
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RA Exhibitions
< 5 years ago
Behind the scenes at the 250th Summer Exhibition
What’s it like to put together the Summer Exhibition? We spoke to this year’s coordinator, Grayson Perry RA, and his band of fellow artists in charge of selecting and hanging the world’s largest open-submission art show.
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Artists
> 5 years ago
Studio life: tips from the Summer Exhibition artists
As part of our season exploring artists’ studios, we asked the artists of the 2017 Summer Exhibition – from Royal Academicians to first-time exhibitors – to give us a peep inside their working space, and to share their secrets for a successful studio practice.
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RA Exhibitions
> 5 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2017 prizes announced
Filmmaker and installation artist Isaac Julien wins the prestigious £25,000 Charles Wollaston award for the “most distinguished work” in the Summer Exhibition.
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RA Exhibitions
< 6 years ago
The studios behind the Summer Exhibition
How are the capital’s artists using their working spaces today? In the spirit of this year’s Summer Exhibition, which is encouraging artists who have not shown before at the RA, Skye Sherwin visits first-time exhibitors at work to see what they are bringing to the Academy.
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RA Exhibitions
> 6 years ago
How I got into the Summer Exhibition
Every year there are around 13,000 public entries to the Summer Exhibition, with about 700 making it through to hang in the galleries. We asked 2016’s selected artists to share their creative secrets.
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RA Exhibitions
> 6 years ago
In pictures: Summer Exhibition Preview Party 2016
The official launch of the Summer Exhibition 2016 welcomed some of London’s most celebrated artists and art lovers to Burlington House.
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Artists
7 years ago
Art quiz of the year 2015
Know your art? Take our quiz of the year and see how you measure up…
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RA Exhibitions
> 7 years ago
Richard E Grant at the Summer Exhibition 2015
A long-time fan of the Royal Academy’s annual Summer Exhibition, actor Richard E Grant takes us on a whistle-stop tour of his favourite works of art in this year’s show.
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Inside the Academy
> 7 years ago
Our picks from the A-level Summer Exhibition Online 2015
We asked members of staff to pick their highlights from this year’s A-level Summer Exhibition Online, which showcases the work of the country’s talented young artists and runs parallel to the RA’s Summer Exhibition.
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RA Exhibitions
> 7 years ago
Podcast: Conrad Shawcross RA in conversation
The Royal Academician discusses the way in which his sculptures explore geometry, philosophy, physics and metaphysics.
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RA Exhibitions
> 7 years ago
Podcast: Michael Craig-Martin RA in conversation
Celebrated artist and this year’s Summer Exhibition Coordinator, Michael Craig-Martin RA discusses some of the ideas and events that have shaped his achievements as an artist and teacher.
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Artists
> 7 years ago
How to get into the Summer Exhibition? Try this advice
We asked the artists selected for this year’s Summer Exhibition to share their secrets, and tell us their personal rules for making art. Here’s what they said.
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RA Exhibitions
> 7 years ago
Rebecca Salter RA on the tradition of Japanese woodblock printing
The Academician has spent her career studying and promoting the threatened art of Japanese woodblock printing. Here, she tells us about her new prints, commissioned for the Summer Exhibition.
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RA Exhibitions
> 7 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2015 prizes announced
Rose Wylie RA announced as winner of the Charles Wollaston award.
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RA Exhibitions
> 7 years ago
In pictures: Summer Exhibition Preview Party
The Summer Exhibition Preview Party is one of the most glamorous events in the London calendar – and a major fundraiser for the RA.
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RA Exhibitions
< 8 years ago
Video: the making of Conrad Shawcross’s courtyard installation
Take a look behind the scenes at the making of ‘The Dappled Light of the Sun’.
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Artists
< 8 years ago
Michael Craig-Martin, man for all seasons
As Michael Craig-Martin RA co-ordinates this year’s Summer Exhibition, the Curator and Head of the RA Schools Eliza Bonham Carter discovers in a new book what makes this leading artist and teacher tick.
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Artists
< 8 years ago
David Chipperfield RA meets Conrad Shawcross RA
RA Magazine’s Guest Editor David Chipperfield RA meets Conrad Shawcross RA in Green Park to talk trees and tetrahedrons, ahead of the sculptor’s spectacular work that greets visitors to the Summer Exhibition.
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Inside the Academy
< 8 years ago
Usher on mentoring, creativity and the Summer Exhibition
Our Head of Learning writes about the creative partnership between the Royal Academy and top recording artist Usher.
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Artists
< 8 years ago
Michael Craig-Martin RA: advice for an aspiring artist
In an extract from his new book, the Royal Academician who nurtured talents including Gary Hume, Sarah Lucas and Damien Hirst offers his insights into how to get on in art and the art world.
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Artists
> 8 years ago
Our picks from the A-level Summer Exhibition Online
As the exhibition draws to a close, we asked three RA members of staff to select their highlight.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Summer Exhibition Edit: Amber Jane Butchart
We’ve challenged three guest speakers to choose the five works in this year’s Summer Exhibition that intrigue them the most. Fashion historian and DJ Amber Jane Butchart guides us through her favourite works.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Summer Exhibition Edit: Will Gompertz
We’ve challenged three guest speakers to choose the five works in this year’s Summer Exhibition that intrigue them the most. BBC’s Arts Editor Will Gompertz attempts to narrow down his top picks from the plethora of works on display.
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Inside the Academy
> 8 years ago
Getting creative with Summer Exhibition art trays
Summer holiday fun for tiny Turners and kid Constables.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Summer Exhibition Edit: Susie Allen
We’ve challenged three guest speakers to choose the five works in this year’s Summer Exhibition that intrigue them the most. Curator Susie Allen guides us through her picks, which all relate to the concept of space.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2014: First time exhibitors
Six of the artists from this year’s Summer Exhibitions share their thoughts on being selected for the first time.
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Artists
> 8 years ago
Bob and Roberta Smith’s guide to the Summer Exhibition
Art now is more popular than it ever has been. We are in an era where art is at the centre of a public conversation about who we are, and where we want to go.
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Inside the Academy
> 8 years ago
Summer comes alive at our Midsummer Night’s Fête
Celebrate the Solstice with the RA. We’ve got blues, burlesque and barnstorming yarns for you at our very special late night event.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2014 prizes announced
Wolfgang Tillmans RA announced as winner of the Charles Wollaston award.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Opening the Summer Exhibition in style
The Summer Exhibition Preview Party is one of the most glamorous events in the London calendar - and a major fundraiser for the RA.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
An introduction to the 246th Summer Exhibition by Cornelia Parker RA
Cornelia Parker RA explains what’s different about this year’s Summer Exhibition and the inspiration behind her ‘Black and White’ themed room.
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RA Exhibitions
> 8 years ago
Varnishing Day at the Summer Exhibition 2014
Celebrating with the artists in this year’s Summer Exhibition.
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RA Exhibitions
< 9 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2014: Turning the tables
Can an establishment institution like the Royal Academy be a radical force? As this year’s Summer Exhibition focuses on an influx of newly elected Royal Academicians, Ben Luke puts the question to Members old and new.
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RA Exhibitions
< 9 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2014: Judging
In the second of our behind-the-scenes videos about the RA Summer Exhibition 2014, we take a look at the judging process and speak to the exhibition’s coordinator Hughie O‘Donoghue RA.
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RA Exhibitions
< 9 years ago
Artists submit their work for the Summer Exhibition
In the first of our behind-the-scenes videos about the RA Summer Exhibition 2014, we speak to some of the artists submitting their work.
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RA Exhibitions
< 10 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2013
Behind the scenes with this year’s co-ordinators Norman Ackroyd RA and Eva Jiricna RA.
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RA Exhibitions
< 11 years ago
Summer Exhibition 2012
Now in its 244th year, the Summer Exhibition is the world’s biggest open submission show. Co-ordinator and painter Tess Jaray RA explains why she thinks small is beautiful.
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An archive of 250 years of the Summer Exhibition
The Chronicle
In celebration of the Royal Academy’s 250th birthday and coinciding with The Great Spectacle exhibition, a new open access publication by the Paul Mellon Centre looks back at 250 years of the Summer Exhibition. Explore 250 years of stories, artworks and data, alongside lively year-by-year essays and a complete set of digitised and searchable Summer Exhibition catalogues.
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It's an exhibition selected by artists, hung by artists... we just choose the best art, and try to make sense of it on the walls. It is a truly democratic exhibition.
Norman Ackroyd RA, Summer Exhibition Co-ordinator 2013
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Grayson Perry leads the committee judging the 250th Summer Exhibition
Photo: Nina Sologubenko
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Artists' testimonials
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Ian Ryan
“I think my work was successful as it is bold, and confident in both its use of colour and form. I feel that you should always be pushing your practice further, be confident in what you do and don’t be afraid to take risks. Mistakes will happen, but they are all part of the development process.
Your work needs to stand out from the 1000s of other entries. Smaller pieces stand a greater chance of inclusion over larger works. Look at the works that have been included in recent years and use them as a yardstick to compare your own to. Be different or be really at what you do; even better, be both. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying until you do.”
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Diana Poliak
“Study, research and resolve, I believe are key factors in the quest for success in getting accepted for the RA Summer Exhibition. Although there are of course no guarantees, plus enormous competition, I feel it is helpful to study the art works in the current show, and records of previous shows.
Also reading the RA magazines, and noting what the Royal Academicians say, both in print and on line in their short videos is beneficial. Most importantly, observe carefully and make notes. Absorb the very essence of the RA Summer Exhibition. Breathe it in. Be inspired.”
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Barry Gowers
“I try to approach my art with curiosity, and soak up everything around me. I spend time with as many like-minded fellow artists as I can, sharing creative thinking, learning new techniques, and getting inky together. Printmakers should "see one, do one, teach one”.
I am also tenacious, entering every year – third time lucky. I looked on rejection as a spur to get better and try more ideas. I submitted different-looking works, as you can’t predict the vision of the curators. And it worked. It has made my art better, I think. Thank you RA.“
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Photo: John Bodkin/DawkinsColour
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Varnishing Day: A Moment in Time
Made specially for the Friends of the Royal Academy, Varnishing Day: A Moment in Time features the work of 100 Royal Academicians.
Conceived by Hughie O’Donoghue RA and David Mach RA, with the assistance of Ian Ritchie RA, this beautiful portfolio includes work from some of the heavyweights in British art – Tracey Emin RA, Grayson Perry RA, Yinka Shonibare RA and Farshid Moussavi RA.
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