The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2024, the multi-room art extravaganza, opens later this month. The annual celebration of contemporary art and architecture has this year been co-ordinated by Ann Christoper, who takes the idea of ‘making space’ as its central theme. Here the British sculptor tells The Glossary what we can expect from the 256th Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
The world’s largest open submission contemporary art show – the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition – returns to the capital for what will be its 256th outing. This year it has been coordinated by Royal Academician and British sculptor Ann Christopher, who takes the idea of ‘making space’ as the theme for the world-famous art and architecture show, which opens on 18 June.
“I believe that space is a crucial factor in how well you perceive a work – the spaces between works can enhance a work dramatically – it can become almost as important as the work itself,” Christopher tells The Glossary exclusively. “Making space can also be interpreted as openness – open to possibilities.”
As co-ordinator, Ann – along with the esteemed Summer Exhibition Committee, which this year includes Hurvin Anderson, Assemble, Anne Desmet, Hughie O’Donoghue, Cornelia Parker and Veronica Ryan – has curated a series of rooms, all of which explore this idea of making space. In a further nod to the theme, she has also changed some of the usual designations of the galleries, “so the content of rooms is not so predictable. Ultimately each room is hung by a different member of the committee and as such they will have an individual feel and their own interpretation of the feeling of space.”
But before curating their individual rooms, Ann and the committee have had the enormous task of going through the thousands of open submissions. The Summer Exhibition, which has taken place every year since 1769, has always provided a unique platform for emerging and established artists to showcase works in front of an international audience – and with the majority of pieces for sale, it also offers visitors an opportunity to purchase original work.
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This year there were 16,500 entries across painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, architecture and film. “The works are anonymous and I for one respond instinctively in my selection,” says Ann. She and the committee have whittled the final selection down to 1710. The remainder of the show comprises works by invited artists, with 2024’s list including Andrew Hart, Charmaine Watkiss, Vivien Blackett, Diana Copperwhite, Permindar Kaur, Radhika Khimji and Rachel Whiteread. Plus, there’ll be pieces by Royal Academicians (who are automatically entitled to submit up to six works), such as Ron Arad, Frank Bowling, Michael Craig-Martin, Clare Woods, Anselm Kiefer and Rose Wylie.
As is custom every year, there will also be memorials to recently deceased Royal Academicians – for the Summer Exhibition 2024, it’s Michael Hopkins, Sonia Lawson, Mick Moon and Joe Tilson. “This year four different members of the committee will be taking the responsibility of hanging each of these memorials – it may be because they were friends, as well as colleagues, or simply but no less importantly because of their respect for the work. “
A highlight of this year’s show is British artist Nicola Turner’s monumental textile sculpture in the courtyard, which is made of found organic matter, including horsehair and wool, which intertwines around the famous statue of the RA’s founding President Sir Joshua Reynolds. “I wanted the statue to become an actual part of the Summer Exhibition in a more physical way,” explains Ann. “Having seen Nicola’s work in various locations, with her incorporation of architectural structures, it made me believe her work would be perfect wrapping around the statue. Happily, Nicola welcomed the challenge.”
The 256th Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is, once again, set to be a major highlight of London’s art calendar. So what would Ann like the visitor to come away with this year? “I hope there will be something which appeals to you, I believe there will always be one work which makes your visit worthwhile, you just have to search for it,” she replies. “Also, that you may come across a work by an artist you had never experienced before – be open-minded and explore.”
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition runs from 18 June until 18 August
royalacademy.org.uk
