Art / rwa annual open
Inside the 170 Annual Open at RWA
The annual open exhibition at RWA is now in its 170th year, and features over 600 works ranging from sculpture, installation to painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media art from artists across the UK and beyond.
The final collection was selected by a panel of judges – this year including Charmaine Watkiss, who is also the invited artist for 170 Annual Open, along with Rabley Gallery director Meryl Ainslie, RWA president Fiona Robinson, and RWA academicians Dallas Collins, Lucy Austin, Angela Lizon and Karl Singporewala.
The judges made their choices blind from over 4,000 entries, assessing each purely on their own artistic merits. Such was the quality of the submissions, this was no easy task.
is needed now More than ever
Invited artist Charmaine Watkiss, 170 Annual Open, RWA – photo: Alice Hendy
“This year above all others,” recalls RWA director Alison Bevan, “we have been quite overwhelmed by the variety and standard of artworks submitted by every kind of artist, from long-established veterans to fresh new talent just finding its artistic voice.
“No matter what kind of art you enjoy, we can promise every visitor will find lots to love!”
Reflecting the RWA’s ongoing commitment to championing world-class art within the south west, as well as creating opportunities to support emerging talent, the exhibition comes with over £10,000 in prize money.
Alongside the flagship Academy Award and Other Art Prize, there are awards made for outstanding painting, drawing, photography and creativity.
All the original art on display at 170 Open is available to purchase.
170 Annual Open Exhibition is the RWA on September 9-January 14 2024 at 10am-5pm Tuesday-Sunday; closed Monday (except for Bank Holidays).
For more information about all upcoming exhibitions, events, talks and workshops at RWA, go to www.rwa.org.uk.
All photos: Alice Hendy (main photo: Monkey and the Cock Helmet – detail, Leslie Glenn Damhus)
Read more: Found Cities, Lost Objects: Women in the City opening at RWA
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