Friends 30th Anniversary Exhibition

Until 3 December 2007

In the Sir Hugh Casson Room for Friends of the Royal Academy

Free public access after 4pm

The Friends of the Royal Academy of Arts was founded by Sir Hugh Casson in 1977 as way of providing valuable financial support for the Royal Academy, and to allow the Academy’s supporters unlimited access to its internationally acclaimed exhibition programme.

Over the years the Friends scheme has grown in size and importance and in 2007 celebrates its thirtieth anniversary with almost 90,000 Friends. Benefits of becoming a Friend include free entry to all exhibitions, access to the friends room, Friends previews for exhibitions and organised special events for Friends.

This exhibition commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Friends scheme by presenting a group of works by Royal Academicians who have been members for thirty years or longer; ie they were elected before or in 1977. The list of exhibiting artists is diverse, covering several categories of Membership and the work on show illustrates the wealth of experience and talent within the academy.

From Elizabeth Blackadder’s delicate watercolours to Jennifer Dickson’s evocative prints the range of styles is broad. Many Academicians work outside their category of Membership across the spectrum of mediums; for example architect Leonard Manasseh frequently exhibits small, luminous paintings. Leonard Rosoman, the artist behind the splendid mural depicting Summer Exhibition buyer’s day in the Academy’s restaurant is also present here, as are sculptors Bryan Kneale and former President of the Royal Academy, Philip King.

Thus the commemorative nature of this exhibition is twofold; it both celebrates the Friends of the Royal Academy and the achievements of the Royal Academicians themselves.

• Royal Academy of Arts