Royal Academy of Arts

Sir Christopher Le Brun: Unenclosed

This exhibition in the Academician’s Room features a curated selection of nine paintings by Christopher Le Brun, each selected for their vibrant and radiant qualities, aiming to please and captivate the beholder's eye.

Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism

In the early 20th century, a revolutionary shift occurred in the world of art and culture, ushering in the Modernism movement in Brazil, which profoundly influenced the country's artistic landscape.

Brasil! Brasil! The Birth of Modernism

This major exhibition presents over 130 works by ten significant Brazilian artists from the twentieth century, highlighting the rich diversity of Brazilian art during that period. It aims to offer UK audiences a broader perspective on Brazilian Modernism, featuring works from artists who have often been overlooked in this country.

Premiums

Experience the latest and most innovative creations from second-year students of the Royal Academy Schools. This exhibition showcases an extensive array of fine art practices, from installations and videos to sculptures, paintings, and photography, reflecting the rich diversity of artistic expression nurtured at the RA Schools.

Work in Progress

This exhibition showcases the concept of work in progress by offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of art. It features everything from initial sketches in small notebooks to compositional layouts and detailed studies, highlighting the preparation and research essential to producing a finished piece.

Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo

Explore the imaginative realms of Victor Hugo, one of France's renowned literary figures, through this exhibition showcasing his seldom-seen drawings. This presentation highlights Hugo's lifelong engagement with art, spanning from his early caricatures and travel sketches to his striking landscapes and avant-garde experimentation with abstraction. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to see some of his most significant works on paper, which have not been publicly exhibited for over five decades in the UK.

From Observation to Abstraction: The Body in Art

For centuries, the human body has been a pivotal subject in Western art, utilized to narrate stories and delve into the essence of what it means to be human.

David Remfry RA: Another Sunrise

This exhibition showcases recent works by David Remfry, known for his vibrant depictions of dancers. Predominantly featuring oil paintings, these pieces exude energy and affection, with notable artworks including a portrait of the artist’s friend, cabaret singer Meow Meow, being gracefully lifted into the air on an Indoor Thermal.

Anything is possible

Explore the collaborative works of the renowned printer and publisher Kip Gresham through a display featuring creations over the past two decades. This exhibition showcases pieces from esteemed Royal Academicians such as Mali Morris, Stephen Chambers, Alison Wilding, and Hurvin Anderson, along with several rare prints.

Nigel Hall RA: Place and Space

This exhibition features various intertwined elements of Nigel Hall's two-dimensional work. It includes drawings of Californian landscapes from the late 1960s, as well as multimedia abstract pieces created within the past three years.

Architecture Wall

Curated by Spencer de Grey RA, this exhibition presents a vibrant showcase of contemporary architectural practices.

Architecture Window

Explore the innovative talents of emerging architects, designers, and curators in this dynamic exhibition at the McAulay Gallery. The display features a collection of ‘microexhibitions’ that highlight the work of young individuals, including design and architecture students as well as young curators and architects.

Eileen Cooper OBE RA: Evergreen

Evergreen examines landscape as a sanctuary, a space that offers warmth and rejuvenation through a curated collection of paintings and drawings that hold personal significance for the artist.

Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo

Explore the fantastical realms created by Victor Hugo, celebrated as one of France’s greatest literary figures. This exhibition reveals his unique artistic vision through his captivating drawings.

Summer Exhibition 2025

Taking place annually since 1769, the Summer Exhibition features an eclectic mix of contemporary artworks, including prints, paintings, films, photography, sculptures, and architecture. The exhibition highlights established artists alongside emerging talents. Numerous pieces will be available for purchase, with proceeds directly benefiting the artists and supporting the Royal Academy’s charitable efforts, which include nurturing the next generation of artists through the Royal Academy Schools.

Kiefer / Van Gogh

This exhibition is the first to explore the enduring influence of Van Gogh on Kiefer. It will showcase works by both artists, including new pieces by Kiefer that have not been displayed previously.

Summer Exhibition 2025

The much-anticipated art show in the UK returns, showcasing a vibrant array of artwork.

Young Artists' Summer Show 2025

Celebrating its seventh year, the Young Artists' Summer Show returns to the Royal Academy of Arts, where we have supported artists since 1768. This exhibition is dedicated to nurturing young talent and recognizing the future of art. It is a free exhibition open to students aged 4–19 studying in the UK. Artworks are evaluated by a panel of dedicated artists and cultural professionals, with chosen pieces showcased both online and at the Royal Academy of Arts.

Kiefer / Van Gogh

Vincent van Gogh has had a significant influence on artists, and this exhibition explores the interplay between his work and that of Anselm Kiefer. Visitors will delve into the themes that connect these two iconic figures, showcasing their profound impact on the evolution of art.

Kerry James Marshall: The Histories

Kerry James Marshall is a globally recognized artist celebrated for his commitment to showcasing Black figures in art. He brings these figures to the forefront in his expressive, often large-scale paintings and murals, drawing on the techniques and aesthetics he encountered during his youth through various art resources. Marshall's artwork intertwines his personal memories with diverse art historical styles, contemporary culture, and elements of science fiction, allowing him to reflect on history, honor everyday experiences, and envision positive futures. This thematically organized exhibition presents 70 works, including a newly created series specifically for this show, along with his evolving commemorative sculpture, 'Wake', which transforms with each exhibition. The Royal Academy of Arts in London presents this exhibition in partnership with Kunsthaus Zurich and the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris.

A Story of South Asian Art

Mrinalini Mukherjee and Her Circle

Explore the intricate tapestry of South Asian art through the career of Indian sculptor Mrinalini Mukherjee. This exhibition highlights a vital community of artists who collaborated with Mukherjee, showcasing a range of drawings, paintings, and sculptures by her contemporaries and mentors. The collection includes works created by her parents, Benode Behari Mukherjee and Leela Mukherjee, who were influential educators at the renowned Kala Bhavana art school in Santiniketan, as well as modernist art pioneers like KG Subramanyan, and significant artists such as Nilima Sheikh and Jagdish Swamitnathan. Additionally, the exhibition will feature pieces that reflect Mukherjee’s rich 40-year artistic journey, characterized by a fusion of abstraction and human forms that draw inspiration from nature, South Asian architectural traditions, craft, and international modernist art and design. This exhibition is organized by the Royal Academy of Arts, in collaboration with The Hepworth Wakefield, which will host a comprehensive retrospective of Mukherjee's work in 2026.