Allen Jones RA: Watercolours

Until 17 February 2008

In the Tennant Room

Allen Jones RA, Semi-Quiver, watercolour, 1997. Photograph: Prudence Cumming Associates Ltd.Allen Jones RA turns 70 this year and is celebrating with an exhibition of vibrant watercolours, selected by the artist from his own collection.

Jones has enjoyed international renown as a painter, sculptor and printmaker since he rose to prominence as a Pop artist in the 1960s. This display offers an opportunity to see rarely-exhibited works, spanning a quarter of a century, in a medium that the artist enjoys for its immediate, graphic quality.

Jones’s familiar themes of eroticism, music and performance are expressed in bold washes and splashes with contrasting crisp, delicate lines. The watercolours vary widely in scale, and range in intention from studies to finished pieces, but Jones’s mastery of colour is evident in every one. Displayed alongside them is a major painted steel sculpture, Carefree Man (1991-92), allowing viewers to explore the relationship between the artist’s work in two and three dimensions.

More work by Allen Jones can be seen in a new display at Tate Britain (8 October 2007 - 10 February 2008) and a solo exhibition at Alan Cristea Gallery (26 November - 22 December 2007).

• Afternoon Lecture, February 2
  To coincide with his Tennant Room exhibition, the artist discusses Pop Art, eroticism, controversy and success with critic Mel Gooding. This lecture is now sold out

The Tennant Room is one of the John Madejski Fine Rooms

Opening times:
1pm-4.30pm Tuesday to Friday
10am-6pm Saturday and Sunday
Closed Monday

• Royal Academy of Arts