Usually in this column we discuss a painting that is available in my shop, but not this week.
I was lucky enough to get an invitation to Monday’s preview evening of this year’s Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
While quaffing champagne and canapes aplenty I wandered the multitude of galleries taking in the variety of views in front of me.
I felt very honoured and privileged to be viewing the pinnacle of what art has to offer, before the doors opened to the general public. The exhibition has been co-ordinated by acclaimed British artist Jock McFadyen RA.
Having only been once before I was looking forward to going, hoping that the exhibition would not disappoint and it didn’t, although it is by no means as varied and outrageous as it was last year.
McFadyen has curated a display that conveys a much more traditional and comfortable feel than last year’s Grayson Perry curated “shock-fest”.
There were some stunningly beautiful pieces of work, my personal favourites were Aquamarine (Face Paint), an oil painting by Machiko Edmondson and a large Ken Howard OBE RA oil painting entitled Interior, St Clements Studio.
But by far my favourite exhibit was a wonderful oil painting by Melissa Scott-Miller entitled lslington Back Gardens With Self, I just thought this was a beautifully detailed painting with a lot of activity and life about it.
Interspersed among these stunning works of art were the occasional pieces that made you question not only your own sanity but especially that of the originator.
One such piece was a bizarre mixed media piece by Neil Jeffries RA… This was detailed as Balham Bedsit Casement made using oil, PVA, cardboard, pencil, cereal and papier mache … and with due deference to the artist, to be quite frank, looked like something that anybody’s two-year-old could have put together at their pre-school messy play session!
It was a great discussion point, if nothing else.
The exhibition is open to the public until Monday, August 12, and it is thoroughly recommend. Tickets are still available from The Royal Academy of Arts.
If you are looking for high quality original art at affordable prices then please come along to my showroom at Holme Grange and take a look at my own little exhibition.
Alternatively, we now offer a leasing arrangement, so now all of our paintings, can be rented for a small fixed monthly rental fee. All of our great works are available to view, purchase or rent at AntiqArt, the “pre-loved art” gallery and antiques shop at Holme Grange Craft Village or online at www.antiqart.co.uk or call us on 0118 327 5421.
