The Royal Academy of Arts’ Summer Exhibition, one of the most enduring shows of its kind, kicks off in spectacular fashion next month.
Now in its 244th year, the exhibition is known for showcasing the work of both established and emerging artists across a wide range of art mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture and film.
It’s the miscellany of so many dissimilar works that makes the Royal Academy’s longstanding show unique, described by the Telegraph’s deputy art critic Alastair Sooke as a “microcosm of British democracy”.
This year’s open submission art show, the largest in the world, is already making noise for the fact that it will be displaying the work of a ten-year old artist, who is thought to be the youngest exhibitor in its entire history.
Felix Chadwick-Histed said that he thought he was dreaming when he heard that his oil painting Trees had made the final cut. It’s all the more impressive given that some 11,000 entries for the summer show were submitted for consideration.
Speaking to the Richmond and Twickenham Times, his father Chris, a publisher, commented: “His painting is his vision looking at trees in Hampton. He painted it about six to eight weeks ago.
“He goes to Orleans House Gallery, to after-school clubs there, and it has massively nurtured his art making.”
Some of the other highlights of this year’s exhibition include Wohl Central Hall being transformed as a tribute to Henri Matisse’s The Red Studio, which will include it being filled with art that focuses on colour. Gallery lll, curated by Tess Jaray, will be defined by physically smaller paintings that nevertheless have a big impact, while there will be other works of art throughout from Ken Howard, Keith Coventry, Anselm Kiefer, Michael Landry, Tracey Emin, Michael Craig-Martin, Raqib Shaw and Calum Innes.
The Royal Academy of Arts’ Summer Exhibition, which will also features as a BBC TV special, runs from June 4th until August 12th in the Main Galleries, Burlington House.