This was a visit where two people (friends) who were going to the exhibition together, had to enter apart to get in! With local restrictions (Covid 19) two households are not allowed to mix indoors, and this also means not visiting galleries together. The RA had not connacted me about this (I’d bought the tickets before these restrictions were in place). It was my friend who told me as she had seen it on their website. However, it’s not blazen across their website – I had to go looking for it. So, we worked out a stratergy. Luckily, the tickets (printable) were on separate sheets, so when we met I gave my friend her ticket. We bought lunch at the station and ate in Trafalgar Square.
On arrival at the RA I went in first and my friend followed a few minutes later. We went round the exhibition separately and met up in the last room before going around the shop together. Outside we had a cuppa and sat by the statue of Joshua Reynolds for a chat.
I understand the policy of the RA, but everyone has to wear a mask, the numbers of people kept are low (the RA does really well, and I applaude them for that. I always feel safe there). But we were just two people, not a group. My friend was convinced we would get stopped. I was pretty certain we would be okay. Obvioulsy now, I would not book tickets for us while the restrictions are in place, but we did do it safely.
And so to the exhibition. There was a good mix of painting, sculpture and models. I always love the model room where mock-up buildings stand showing new buildings for industry, people and the idea of new worlds. Planners always have interesting ideas, and there is something very ‘dolls house’ about them that make me want to play with them!
Here the famous rub shoulders with other artists. Anyone can enter for a fee of £35. This year my sister-in-law entered a piece of sculpture. She got through the first round and was asked to take her work in for the second round, but unfortunately she was not picked. However, to get through the first stage is an achievement in itself.
There is work here by two of my favourite artists – Anselm Kiefer and Grayson Perry. I took photos of things I liked or struck me as interesting. I also get ideas from these sorts of exhibitions. I am a dabbler in art. After years of not drawing or painting I have graduated back to ‘having a go’. Fired up by Grayson Perry’s Art Club on TV during the worst of lockdown, I produced something for each week, and I am currently taking part in a Twitter’s Inktober, producing ink drawings and ink wash in response to daily prompts. I still haven’t found my medium, but I do love working with ink. However, I want to try other things (I’m a hopeless watercolourist). I only share a few of my ink drawings on Twitter. Basically, everyone is so good, I was embarassed! I do share them on Facebook. Oh, my poor friends!
However, art is for everyone, and I find it relaxing. It’s been something to hang on to in these times, however bad my art is, and sometimes it is really bad. But back to exhibition. I think there is something here for everyone, whatever your taste – traditional and experimental. Hopefully, next year the exhibition will be back to its summer slot. But who knows where we will be in 2021.
My London+ 