British artist and Royal Academician Ann Christopher will co-ordinate the 256th Summer Exhibition in 2024. The Summer Exhibition Committee members will be Royal Academicians Hurvin Anderson, Assemble, Anne Desmet, Hughie O’Donoghue, Cornelia Parker and Veronica Ryan. The Committee will be chaired by the President of the Royal Academy, Rebecca Salter.
For the Summer Exhibition 2024, Ann Christopher RA 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.”
The Royal Academy will shortly invite artists and architects to submit their work for a chance for it to feature in the exhibition: summer.royalacademy.org.uk. Submissions will open and entry forms will be available from Tuesday 9 January to Tuesday 13 February 2024 or sooner if the cap of 16,500 entries has been reached. The RA expects to receive up to 16,500 entries and around 1200 works, in a range of media, will go on display.
The Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open submission contemporary art show which has taken place every year without interruption since 1769. The members of the Summer Exhibition Committee serve in rotation, ensuring that every year the exhibition has a distinctive character, with each Royal Academician responsible for a particular gallery space. Works from all over the world are judged democratically on merit and the final selection is made during the eight-day hang within the galleries. The majority of works will be for sale, offering visitors an opportunity to purchase original work. Funds
raised support the exhibiting artists, the postgraduate students studying in the RA Schools and the work of the Royal Academy.
