June 7th -15th August 2011
I am happy to say my painting ‘Lazy Afternoon’ was selected for this year’s Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. This year being the third year in a row.
When I was first selected I was surprised to discover that on the Varnishing day you are not immediately allowed in to the gallery to see the exhibition. You are instead escorted to St James Church in Piccadilly for a ceremony of thanks. Which I must confess was a mite frustrating as I was in agony to see my painting hanging at the R.A. I was not the only one I’m sure. The pervading atmosphere was that of ‘Last day of term before release’. Interestingly, in the first year I was successful Tracey Emin was in church too giving thanks to the lord with the rest of us. An incongruous sight to be sure.
Once the ceremony had ended we took the short walk back the RA and I found my painting in its usual place, in the ‘Weston Room’. A rather nice position too.
I have found the Summer Exhibition is always a treat if you are interested – whether exhibiting or not:
Royal Academy of Arts
Burlington House
Piccadilly
London W1J 0BD
Opening hours:
10am-6pm Saturday-Thursday (last admission to galleries 5.30pm)
10am-10pm Friday (last admission to galleries 9.30pm)
To book tickets
Telephone 0844 209 0051
(international callers please telephone +44 (0)844 209 0051)
Another small exhibition at the Royal Academy
There is another ‘current’ exhibition just outside the Royal Academy and this one’s for free. There are a number of works by ‘The chewing gum artist’, Ben Wilson. This innovative creative paints tiny landscapes and messages on chewing gum all over London’s streets and he has blessed the RA with a few of his works. These diminutive pieces are completely charming and it’s always a thrill to spot one.
Although mere centimetres across there has been a number of attempts to arrest him for vandalism. He is however protected by a loophole in the law. He is not painting the pavement he is painting litter on the pavement that someone else has already abandoned.
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You will find the artworks to the left by the railings as you come out of the court yard onto Piccadilly. Big thanks to a fellow painter and friend Roy Connelly for pointing them out to me.
