Important spaces in between

Each year, a different member of the Royal Academy in London is responsible for organizing the Summer Exhibition. The rotation guarantees a varied program and different focuses over time. In 2024, sculptor Ann Christopher, RA (*1947), who has been a Royal Academician since 1989, will take over as Director. The exhibition will run from June 18 to August 18 in the Academy's Main Galleries.

Commenting on the concept, Christopher said: » I plan to explore the idea of making space, whether giving space or taking space. This can be interpreted in various ways: to make space can mean openness – making space for something or someone, also making space between things. It is my belief that the spaces in between are as important as whatever those spaces separate. Spaces can not only dramatically enhance the actual works on the wall but also the pleasure of viewing them. In terms of sculpture – well that gives off its own demand for space around it.«

This year, Gina Parr, who is taking part in the Art.Salon artist program, is also exhibiting at the Summer Exhibition. The painter and photographer is showing the photograph Ascending Mt. Tetrion II (2023), which was taken in Alicante, Spain. Parr expands on an earlier work about laborious repair work with Tetrion filler: Inspired by the striking mountainous surroundings of Alicante, Parr's photograph is a metaphor for the seemingly insurmountable obstacles that everyone encounters in life. In her photographs, the artist concentrates on detailed views of small surfaces and opens up new perspectives on the motifs.

A total of 1,710 works of art by renowned artists, members and non-members, are on display. The Summer Exhibition is the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. The committee selects the exhibits from up to 16,500 submitted works. The Summer Exhibition has been held every year since 1769, so the first exhibition opened the year after the Royal Academy was founded by King George III. Most of the artworks on display are for sale.