2026 sees the 258th edition of the legendary Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. The 258th Summer Exhibition is a unique celebration of contemporary art and architecture, providing a vital platform and support for the artistic community. The exhibition features over 1800 artworks, the majority of which are available to buy. Sales directly support
the exhibiting artists and the RA’s charitable work, including training the next generation of artists at the Royal Academy Schools. Internationally acclaimed artist and Royal Academician Ryan Gander has co-ordinated this year’s Summer Exhibition and, with the Summer Exhibition Committee, explores the theme of ‘Interconnectedness’. This year, the Royal Academy is celebrating 20 years of Insight Investment sponsoring the Summer Exhibition.
In line with the theme, art works in different media, including architecture, print, painting and sculpture, are integrated throughout the exhibition, creating conversations with each other rather than being confined to their own spaces. Gander has introduced an exhibition device to connect each room in the exhibition and create cohesion; a horizontal line that travels at eye level around the walls of the galleries. This line sits two metres above the floor, with artworks being placed above or below it.
Artists invited to exhibit work this year include Alvaro Barrington, Martin Boyce, Peter Liversidge, Helen Marten, Paulina Olowska and David Shrigley. Sculpture is a key element of the exhibition, with pieces by artists including Nina Beier, Kevin Francis Gray, Thomas J Price and recent Turner Prize nominee Kira Freije. A 10-metre-high work by Joseph Grigely stretches from floor to ceiling. Paintings by Charles Avery, Michael Raedecker and new work by Ragnar Kjartansson are also on view.
In addition to the large number of public submissions, Royal Academicians are showing works, including Antony Gormley who presents a site-specific 8.2-meter-high piece entitled Hide (2026) made from cardboard. Works by John Akomfrah, Michael Armitage, Frank Bowling, Michael Craig-Martin, Tacita Dean, Tracey Emin, Anish Kapoor, Mike Nelson, Sikelela Owen, Grayson Perry, Fiona Rae, Wolfgang Tillmans, Gillian Wearing and Rose Wylie are also on view. Honorary Royal Academicians include JoanJonas, who is exhibiting for the first time, showing a monumental work on paper that is over 5 meters wide, created during one of her performances. Further Hon RAs include Marina Abramović, the late Georg Baselitz, Jim Dine, William Kentridge, Anselm Kiefer, Mimmo Paladino and Rosemarie Trockel.
There is also memorials to the late Royal Academicians Jennifer Dickson, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and Bryan Kneale.
Committee member Peter St John (Adam Caruso and Peter St John RA) has curated clusters of architecture that are integrated throughout the exhibition. In response to the theme of ‘Interconnectedness’, St John asked that architectural entries considered the related theme of ‘Ways of Living’. This could mean housing and houses, but also the interconnectedness within ecosystems and visions of urban life. On display is work by architects and designers including Thomas Heatherwick RA, Peter Märkli and Izat Arundell.
A colourful, large-scale installation by Ugo Rondinone, newly conceived for the Summer Exhibition, is on display in the Annenberg Courtyard. Rondinone uses poetry and language as a basis to explore emotions that deeply impact human beings. THE SONG IS YOU, a 10-metre-long LED sign made up of rainbow-striped letters, which will be illuminated at night, is part of the artist’s Rainbow Poems series.
We are proud to mark twenty years as lead sponsor of the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. For over 250 years, the Summer Exhibition has brought together artists and audiences in an open, multidisciplinary celebration of creativity. We hope as many people as possible will enjoy this year’s Exhibition and discover its vibrant contributions to our cultural life.” Raman Srivastava, CEO, Insight Investment
In our 20th year of partnership, the Royal Academy celebrates the significance of Insight Investment’s longstanding support of the Summer Exhibition, an event which has long been one of the highlights of Britain’s summer season. We are proud to reach this significant milestone with one of the longest running arts partnerships of its kind. Corporate support is essential to the charitable work of the RA, and I would like to thank Insight Investment for their continued commitment to our mutually beneficial – and very special – partnership.” Simon Wallis, Secretary and Chief Executive, Royal Academy of Arts
Find out more about the Summer Exhibition and book tickets here.
