Art & Activism: The RA Summer Exhibition 2019
Banksy's installation of a padlocked EU Customs shutter-door attests to the political bent of this year's Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. His piece is one of the first you encounter at the RA, and one of many subversive works on display.
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| Gallery III |
As a RA first-timer, I was delighted to be surrounded by art on such a vast scale and pleased to see the political undercurrent that ran throughout the exhibition. Although purportedly not as anarchic as Grayson Perry's Summer Exhibition in 2018, this year's show, curated by Jock MacFayden, explores a range of important topics, including environmental concerns, racism, and of course, Brexit.
There are over 1,500 works on display, this post highlights some that caught my eye. But firstly, some background on the RA.
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition is known as the world's largest open art exhibition. Renowned for its longevity, this year's exhibition marks 251 years of uninterrupted shows. It is made up of a collection of galleries curated by artists, with a principal artist undertaking overall coordination each year. The RA Summer Exhibition is an opportunity for creatives of all backgrounds and experience to showcase their works in an acclaimed cultural event.
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| 'Get Ou', Banksy |
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| Wohl Central Hall, 'Menagerie' |
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| 'Bear From Dump Circus', Nicola Hicks |
The first space is a 'menagerie' of animal-related paintings and sculptures. It is in this space that Banksy's installation can be found (and it is not difficult to see where Banksy stands on Brexit). More animals appear in a later gallery that examines environmental issues. Here, Nicola Hicks' 'Bear From Dump Circus' takes centre-stage. Hicks is known for making sculptures out of plaster and straw, as seen in her exhibit at the RA (above).
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| 'We Are All Immigrant Scum', Jeremy Deller |
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| '(Unfucking Titled) Fucked Dove', Michael Dean |
Jeremy Deller's ironic banner emblazoned with 'We are all immigrant scum' instructs racist thinkers to alter their opinions. In the same gallery, and following the sociopolitical theme, is Michael Dean's sculpture (directly above).
John Wragg's vibrant, geometric paintings captured my attention among the sea of frames in the largest gallery. On the same wall is Anselm Kiefer’s large, dramatic artwork. In this space photography and paintings are combined, which is unusual in the museum-world.
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| 'Nervous Girl', 'Perfume' & 'Last Straw', John Wragg |
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| 'Fünf jahre lebte Vainamoinen auf der unbekannten insel auf dem baumlosen land', Anselm Kiefer |
'My Ghosts' by John Davies is particularly stunning; I couldn't help thinking of René Magritte when I saw this installation. I also feel compelled to mention John Maine's 'Ascension' as I bought a print of this piece.
The final gallery is a calmer, less chaotic section full off interesting sculptures, such as Mimmo Paladino's bronze sculpture, and paintings to cleanse the pallet before you exit.
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| 'My Ghosts', John Davies |
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| Gallery VI/ VII |
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| 'Untitled', Mimmo Paladino |
I have since seen a mix of reviews online and in print about the exhibition this year. This blog was not created to criticise (not my style), although I do have a couple of practical pointers. I would advise to visit during the weekday or as soon as it opens at 10am during the weekend, because it gets packed full of people. The overall experience can also be overwhelming, as so much content fills the walls and spaces. For the same reason, some complain that the exhibition elides the individuality of art and artist, however I think it is part of the experience and quite enjoy the compelling feeling of viewing so much contrasting art all at once.
The RA 2019 Summer Exhibition leaves me with a sense that as well as creating something captivating, whether by its beauty or ability to disturb, art can equal a political act. Art is a method of social commentary and, at its best, an instigator of social and political change.
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| Gallery III |
RA Website:
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2019
* all photos are my own