The biggest and most popular open-submission art exhibition of the summer, now in its 248th year, kicks off in just a few days.
But before the doors of the Royal Academy swing open to the public on June 13, the BBC are giving viewers a sneaky peek inside this year’s Summer Exhibition.
Presented by art aficionados Kirsty Wark and Morgan Quaintance, the hour-long programme gives an insight into how artists go about submitting a piece and what the hanging committee have been looking for this year.
Here’s everything you need to know:
What’s it about?
Thousands of visitors will descend on the central London gallery over the next few months to get a glimpse of new pieces by world-famous artists and complete unknowns, hung side-by-side.
But before heading down to the RA, the BBC are inviting viewers to delve a little deeper into the process behind the centuries-old exhibition, which this year focuses on artistic duos.
Wark and Quaintance will talk to this year’s curator, sculptor Richard Wilson, who has described this year’s show as ‘unpredictable, stimulating and startling’, to get his hot tips.
They will also look at what it takes for a complete unknown to get their work hung in the one of the most famous galleries in the world.
What should I be looking out for?
This year’s exhibition is certainly a lot edgier than some, perhaps thanks to the fact that Wilson is on board as head curator.
Alongside works by aspiring artists are pieces by some of Britain’s greatest living artists duos including Gilbert & George and former YBA bad boys Jake and Dinos Chapman.
Jane and Louise Wilson and Pierre et Gilles have also submitted works while Heather and Ivan Morison’s huge kite culture is suspended from the ceiling.
When is it on?
Watch The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 2016, BBC2, Saturday, 9.10 - 10.10pm.
Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition 2016
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