I always enjoy the summer show and it continues to be the most joyful exhibition of the year; that being said, this years display was not my favourite. Climate as a theme whilst very topical just doesn’t speak to me. It’s a shame because last years show, Reclaiming Magic, was the best I’d ever seen. This years curation by the sculptor Alison Wilding RA was… interesting, there was a tree room AND a cloud room, not to mention two rooms painted in the most fabulous shade of ‘national geographic’ yellow.

I tend to find the architecture display (which is usually tucked away in a room to the side) the most boring part of the show, this years exhibition was no exception but the boringness was extended across two rooms, making it much harder to avoid. However, the move did lead me to appreciate some of the beautiful architectural photography and paintings that I might usually miss.

Here are some of my favourite pieces I saw…

LONDON PASSPORT MAP WW2

Yanko Tihov

I love this piece by Yanok Tihov, it’s a map of London made out of hand painted passport covers of the different nationalities who lived in the City during World War 2, each borough is depicted using the passport cover of the highest percentage of foreign people in that area as per the Census from that time. I was reminded of Alighiero Boetti’s 1970 art series, Mappa which explores similar themes. Tihov’s piece forms part of a larger collection that explores ever changing borders through historical maps.

THE CITY AS A ROOM & A TALE OF THREE CITIES

by Sir Peter Cook RA

PERCY INGLE – GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Helen Ashton

Another wonderful thing lost to the pandemic.

DRIED

Emily B. Yang

Emily B Yang is an up and coming printmaker and recent graduate of Harvard School of Design. I love this piece which reminds me of Dance by Henri Matisse.

SHORT STORIES II

Jack Milroy

URBAN JUNGLE DOWNTOWN YANGON

Joshua Akers

Joshua Akers is a travel photographer, which sounds like such a fabulous job, travelling across the world taking beautiful pictures that serve to transport the viewer to another place and time. I love this photograph, ‘There is so much happening at ground level in Yangon that you could be forgiven for not looking up. However, if you do look up when walking around you’ll be treated to colourful buildings packed with personality, grand balconies, old signs, chaotic power cables and people living out their lives high above the streets of Yangon.’ Joshua Akers