The British Summer Season has officially started.
The Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition is now open and the Preview Party, which celebrates its opening night, traditionally marks the start of the British summer season.
The Royal Academy is a quintessentially British institution, nurturing British art and artists for nearly 250 years. Every year, the Summer Exhibition Preview Party celebrates just that. With Grayson Perry RA Chairing the party committee, and perfectly setting the tone for what was to come, with his ‘Impact over comfort’ dress code – a pair of Maimie’s, are your secret weapon here!
Attracting everyone who’s anyone in the art world, the party is the first opportunity to view and buy the works of art adorning the walls of the finest galleries in Europe - all of which are for sale. The exhibition is open submission, attracting over 12,000 budding artists to submit works of art. These are then scrutinised by a panel of Royal Academicians and whittled down to a 1000 paintings, sculptures and architectural plans and hung on the gallery walls.
The party attracted some Mamie favourites, who interpreted the theme beautifully, as captured by Tatler Bystander
The 2015 Summer Exhibition Co-Ordinator (the guy who decides where all the pictures are hung) is Michael Craig Martin. His trademark use of colour totally enveloped the RA this year, coming out of the front door, into the courtyard and invading the stairs, turning them into a kaleidoscope.
Timelapse: Installing Jim Lambie's Stairecase
Blue cocktails and a roaming pineapple serving miniature deserts were included in the eccentricities the party had to offer. This combined with Henry Holland on the decks got things off to a roaring start and insured an art buying frenzy.
The evening was rounded off by a live performance from Jesse Ware. Jamie Winstone and Nick Grimshaw were seen swaying in time to the beat under the watchful gaze of Sir Joshua Reynold’s, our founder, in the romantic surroundings of the courtyard.
Prices for works of art range from £80 up to £2 million with a percentage going toward the Royal Academy Schools, meaning there is something to suit all sizes of wallet and also keep that philanthropic halo of yours shining. This year’s highlights include:
John Arad, Norman Ackroyd, Micheal Craig-Martin, Anish Kapoor
Why not come and see this kaleidoscopic show for your own eyes which has received 4 star reviews across the board? We are giving away five Royal Academy Summer exhibition tickets to Mamie blog readers, just sign up to our newsletter and follow us on twitter for a chance to win and get inspired. We will announce the winner on the 10th July....Good Luck!
