Summer Exhibition 2019, Royal Academy of Arts - ★★★★★ - Until August 12, 2019


The Summer Exhibition is a definitional event of summer in London. It is always a highlight and once again there is lots to see, enjoy and debate. This year's show, co-ordinated by Jock McFadyen RA, started with 16,000 entries leading to a display of just over 1,500 works. As usual most pieces are for sale and contribute to funding students at RA schools. Some of our favourites were Banksy's "Keep Ou", "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Clare Douglass and Harald Smykla's "Emergency Press Bloom" duo. The mix of whimsy and politics seemed so true to the moment. But there is so much more here. The Summer Exhibition is always more of an experience than a mere art display. Go along with friends and you are bound to find work that stimulates, delights, amuses, confuses, and enrages. This is a social event, not to be missed by locals or visitors to the capital. It is a summer picnic for the senses and the intellect.

Reviewed by J.C.


 Our Score:  ☆☆☆☆☆ 

WHEN, WHERE, GETTING THERE:
Until August 12, 2019

Daily: 10 am - 6 pm & Fri: 10 am - 10 pm
Time slots every 30 minutes. Last entry 45 minutes before closing.
Main Galleries, The Sackler Wing of Galleries,
The Ronald and Rita McAulay Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts.
Nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibition/summer-exhibition-2019

Most Popular

José María Velasco: A View of Mexico ★★★★ The National Gallery | Mar 29 - Aug 17, 2025

Supersonic Man ★★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Borough | Apr 9 - May 3, 2025

Midnight Cowboy - A New Musical ★★ Southwark Playhouse, Borough | Apr 4 - May 17, 2025

Men’s Business ★★ Finborough Theatre | Mar 18 - Apr 12, 2025

THISISPOPBABY - WAKE ★ Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre | April 2 - 5, 2025

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo ★★★★ Royal Academy of Arts | Mar 21 - Jun 29, 2025

Apex Predator ★★★★ Hampstead Theatre | Mar 22 - Apr 26, 2025

The Carracci Cartoons: Myths in the Making ★★★ The National Gallery | Apr 10 - Jul 6, 2025 (Free Entry)

Wilko: Love and Death and Rock 'n' Roll ★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Borough | Mar 20 - Apr 19, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings