Now on

Matisse in the Studio

5 August – 12 November 2017

This summer, step into the studio of Henri Matisse. Focusing exclusively on the role of the artist’s treasured objects in his work, this exhibition reveals how this eclectic collection took on new life in his transcendent art.

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Sonia Boyce: “If we can go to Mars, we can send more kids to art school”

Artist and educator Sonia Boyce is the latest to reflect on art, life and lessons learnt in our ‘As I see it’ series. With her work on show in the Summer Exhibition, she talks tuition fees, a love of Liberty and why we should all be prepared to dream of something different...

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Matisse’s studio: “an interior world of his own making”

With our Matisse in the Studio exhibition now open, Nicholas Watkins reveals the artist’s working practice – orchestrating objects and models in his French ateliers to explore colour, line and space.

Coming soon

Jasper Johns: 'Something Resembling Truth'

23 September — 10 December 2017

Widely known for his iconic images of flags, targets, numbers, maps and light bulbs, Jasper Johns has occupied a central position in American art since his first solo exhibition in New York in 1958. The first comprehensive survey of the artist’s work to be held in the UK in 40 years, this exhibition will comprise over 150 paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints.

Now on

Second Nature: The Art of Charles Tunnicliffe RA

Until 8 October 2017

See the natural world through the eyes of Charles Tunnicliffe RA, one of the best-known wildlife illustrators of the 20th century. To coincide with a newly published catalogue of his prints, we bring together a range of Tunnicliffe’s work, from original illustrations for Ladybird Books to etchings, wood-engravings and watercolours.

Coming soon

Dalí / Duchamp

7 October 2017 — 3 January 2018

Take another look at two artistic giants: father of conceptual art Marcel Duchamp, and larger-than-life Surrealist Salvador Dalí. This is the first exhibition to throw light on their surprising relationship and its influence on the work of both artists.

Video

David Hockney: “I’ve never been mainstream. Just be yourself”

To celebrate David Hockney’s 80th birthday, filmmaker Bruno Wollheim has released 80 previously unseen short films made with the artist. Watch three of them here.

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How to read it: Henry Tuke’s A Bathing Group

As Tate Britain’s ‘Queer British Art’ marks the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of male homosexuality, we take a look at the work of Henry Tuke from the RA collection, on display in the show.

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How to read it: Charles Tunnicliffe’s Chinese Geese

Pattern and design are as important as accuracy in this wood engraving by Charles Tunnicliffe RA, currently on display in our exhibition, Second Nature. Come and take a closer look…

Now on

The Interpretation of Movement (a 9:8 in blue)

Terrace Wires: Conrad Shawcross RA

See sculptor and Royal Academician Conrad Shawcross's new public installation – his largest mechanical work to date – in St Pancras International station.

Article

Conrad Shawcross: "I used to work as an extra in films"

In the latest in our 'As I see it' series, sculptor Conrad Shawcross tells us why Brexit might change the meaning of his new St. Pancras installation, what it means to be the youngest Academician – and why artists should never work in pubs.

Video

RA250 stories: building a bridge that’s a sculpture

Behind the scenes

In 2018, our two historic sites at Burlington House and Burlington Gardens will be linked together for the first time. In this video, we look at the complex process of connecting two listed buildings, with a sculptural bridge that traces the line of an original garden path from 350 years ago.

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Francis Kéré on his Serpentine Pavilion: “I dream of work in the UK. It’s the place to build”

Three years after his tunnel of straws inspired audiences in the RA's Sensing Spaces show, architect Diébédo Francis Kéré is back in the UK as the designer of this year’s Serpentine Pavilion. We caught up to hear about his new creation.

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Eileen Cooper: “Artists love to say they’re unique. We’re not”

With the job of coordinating the Summer Exhibition, her final months as the Keeper of the Royal Academy Schools and two of her own solo shows this year, it’s a busy time for Eileen Cooper. In the latest in our ‘As I see it’ series, the artist talks bad reviews, good dogs, and what she’ll do once all this work is done.

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Nine things to know about the Summer Exhibition

An invitation to artists everywhere, a story that goes back to Turner – and a top secret tea recipe. Here’s what you need to know about a weird and wonderful art tradition.

Family activity

Make a paint-splattering spinning top

Learn how to make a spinning top that will spin and spin, splattering paint to create multiple masterpieces!

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Seven tips for starting your own art collection

There are over 1000 works in the Summer Exhibition – and most of them are for sale. So how do you choose? Here are our top tips for buying your first pieces of original art.

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The studios behind the Summer Exhibition

How are the capital’s artists using their working spaces today? In the spirit of this year’s Summer Exhibition, which is encouraging artists who have not shown before at the RA, Skye Sherwin visits first-time exhibitors at work to see what they are bringing to the Academy.

Now on

A-level Summer Exhibition online

Selected from over 2,400 submissions, the A-level Summer Exhibition Online is a showcase of the UK’s young artistic talent. This year aspiring artists attending sixth form colleges or schools submitted their work to be judged by our expert panel: Royal Academician Wolfgang Tillmans, curator Per Rumberg, and RA Schools student Jessy Jetpacks. View the works online here.

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Odd couples: Artists you never knew were friends

With our exhibition exploring the little-known relationship between Dalí and Duchamp later this year, we take a look at the friendship between those two great masters of modern art, and five other artist pairs you may never have guessed.

Coming soon

Charles I: King and Collector

27 January — 15 April 2018

Discover the legendary art collection of Charles I. For the first time since the 17th century, a landmark exhibition at the RA will bring together the astounding treasures that changed the taste of the nation.

Video

RA250 stories: hidden treasures of the RA Collection

In 2018 we're unveiling new spaces to display the Royal Academy's Collection. In this video, we take a look at some of the treasures that will be on show, including the UK's only sculpture by Michelangelo.

Videos

How to… make a wood engraving, with Anne Desmet

Anne Desmet RA demonstrates each step in creating a wood engraving, from tracing the original drawing through to printing a first proof.

Inside the Academy

Tumblr: From the RA

Discover works from the RA's Collections

We've reached the half-way point on our quest to digitise 10,000 items from the Royal Academy of Arts' vast collections. Visit our Tumblr to discover drawings, sketches, prints, books, oddities and wonders, all revealed by RA staff and a team of volunteers.

Inside the Academy

Redeveloping the Royal Academy

For nearly 250 years, the RA has been a place to make, exhibit and debate art. For our anniversary in 2018 we are opening up the RA as never before, transforming our historic buildings – and inviting Friends and visitors old and new to celebrate with us.

Inside the Academy

The RA Schools

A school of contemporary fine art, right at the heart of the RA.

Friends of the RA

RA Art Tours Worldwide

These expert-led small-group tours, created by travel specialists Cox & Kings, focus on the art, architecture and archaeology of some of the world’s most fascinating destinations.