The Summer Exhibition is an open art exhibition held by the Royal Academy.

It is located in Burlington House, Piccadilly and lasts for the months of June, July, and August.

One remarkable thing about this exhibit is that anyone is free to enter up to three pieces, making this one of the most democratic of art exhibits.

The exhibition draws more than 10,000 entries, of which 1,000 are chosen to put on display.

This show has been running each year since 1769; indeed the exhibition was one of the main objectives behind the founding of the Royal Academy in 1768.
Almost all of the works of art on display are for sale, and the Academy gets a percentage of the proceeds.

More than £70,000 in prize money is awarded each year, the largest one being the £25,000 Charles Wollaston Award.

As one might expect, the quality of entries can vary quite widely, and art critics have found the random nature of the exhibition makes it an easy target of their scorn and disdain.
Indeed there are many entries which do not conform to what one would see in a museum or gallery, but it is this very difference that makes it all the more exciting and interesting to many visitors.

Another complaint levelled at the exhibit is that the sheer volume of works being exhibited makes it almost impossible to appreciate any of them.
It has apparently always been thus with the Summer Exhibition; Oscar Wilde had one of the characters in “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” complain about the very same state of affairs.

Critics used to roll their eyes at the countless pretty landscapes and fruit bowl still life paintings submitted by amateur painters, but now they are more likely to complain about the lack of originality and the “sameness” that imbues most of the more recent entries.

There is a slick and glossy feel about much of what is submitted these days, as the amateurs are increasingly being pushed out by the professionals.

This exhibition is an event that London visitors should seek out.

Visiting Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, Mayfair, W1J 0BD

14th June 2010 until 22nd August 2010

Telephone: 0844 209 1919

Opening Times

Mon to Thu, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm, last admission 5.30pm, Fri 10am-10pm, last admission 9.30pm

Ticket Prices

£7 (Adults), £6 (OAP/disabled), £5 (Students), £4/£5 (Children 12-18/unwaged), FREE (Under 7s)

Photo courtesy: Wolfiewolf

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