The theme of the 258th Summer Exhibition, “Interconnectedness,” makes tracing links between the works on display both a fascinating and at times overwhelming experience. While this year’s works on view appear to contain less overt political commentary and fewer instances of humour than is often typical of such events, both are still present in striking moments. Tim Shaw’s powerful portrayal of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Pin It On Them (Associated Artwork From the Installation: Shut It Piggy) (555) can be juxtaposed with the playful absurdity of Joey Rutherford’s Pickle With a Pearl Earring (1110), reminding viewers of the range of tones running through the exhibition. Alongside these, there are the usual charming animal representations, including our favourite, the highly realistic cat in Thus Regard Palmerston (793), as well as the standard attempts to shock and provoke, such as Tracey Emin’s There Is An End To Everything (674). The collection continues to move between curiosity and reflection, from the curious Mandarin (404) to Rebecca Choi’s contemplative, enigmatic Seen and Unseen (1151). Satire and social commentary are evident in Flaming June the Bag Lady (After Frederic Lord Leighton) (193), which can be contrasted with Vincent Michael Brown’s Gossip Girls (1250), which offers both an ironic and poignant commentary on ageing. Transformative representations of the mundane in Coffee Cup (1119) and Crisps (1120) call such objects to attention, while the technical skills demonstrated in Lilith's Moon (All That Changes You) (556) create an otherworldly atmosphere. The differing treatments of landscape in such works as Somewhere in Italy, Path to the Mountain at Night I (231) and Wild (820) extend the exhibition’s range of intimacy and scale, stillness and intensity. Ultimately, the idea of “interconnectedness” within the exhibition is neither straightforward nor easily defined. Rather than imposing a single, coherent narrative, the exhibition invites visitors to forge their own connections between works. The juxtaposition of different subjects, styles, and techniques creates a shifting dialogue in which meaning emerges from contrast and association. It is through these evolving relationships between humour and seriousness, the personal and the political, and the familiar and the unexpected that this year's exhibition achieves its sense of coherence, revealing interconnectedness not as a fixed concept but as an ongoing process of discovery.
Rated: ★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by David Parry/Royal Academy of Arts
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