About the exhibition
It was an honour to be selected as a candidate to become an academician in 2024. The successful candidates go on to become academicians for life and gain the right to exhibit work at the annual open as well as join a thriving group of career artists, mostly based in Bristol and the South West.
The candidate’s exhibition is a significant part of the selection process; each artist is invited to hang three works in the Kenny Gallery, and on the varnishing day the candidates gather in the gallery to field questions from academicians, whilst standing in close proximity to their work.
I have to say I really enjoyed the day, and the exhibition too. Having done quite a lot of ‘front of house work’ at shows and fairs over the past two decades I’ve become entirely used to talking about the work and what it means to me, as well as sharing ideas and thoughts around production and framing as well of course.
A significant part of the intrigue and joy of the whole thing was in the opportunity to meet and spend time with the other candidates; to some extent the situation is a little similar to a game show format; you inherently know that you can't all be selected, which on this occasion seemed to create a good deal of camaraderie amongst the seven candidates, as well as giving us a great opportunity to view and consider each others practice.
Some months later, after the academicians votes are gathered and counted, the winners and losers are notified of the final decision. For 2024 just one candidate was elected, Jemma Appleby, a brilliant draughtsperson and virtuoso with graphite and charcoal. It was immediately obvious on seeing her work that she would make the grade, the question in my mind was simply around whether anyone else would be selected too!
For the remainder of us there’s always an opportunity to try again; the rules allow you to apply three times over five years, so I’ll look forward to reapplying in due course, perhaps with a slightly better idea of how to make a more convincing case for the academicians to consider. I’m already looking forward to it….
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RWA Academician Candidates Exhibition 2024
14 September – 3 November 2024
Candidates list
Jemma Appleby - https://www.jemmaappleby.com/
Helen Cass - https://www.helencass.com/
Alice Cunningham - https://alicecunningham.co.uk/
Christopher Hibbard - https://chris-hibbard.art/
Sarah Purvey - https://www.sarahpurvey.com/
Richard Kenton Webb - https://richardkentonwebb.art/
Work in situ
Images clockwise from top left; img01 Kenny Gallery doorway; img02 Gallery view; img03 Alice Cunningham; img04 Radial / THREE / cyan breaker - Chuck Elliott; img05 Alice Cunningham; img06 Richard Kenton Webb; img07 Jemma Appleby; img08 Sennen / dark pool / Chuck Elliott; img09 Jemma Appleby and Alice Cunningham; img10 Helen Cass; img11 Sarah Purvey and Chuck Elliott; img12 Jemma Appleby; img13 Chuck Elliott; img14 Lyric / cyan base - Chuck Elliott; img15 Richard Kenton Webb; img16 Kenny Gallery; img17 Chuck Elliott; img18 Christopher Hibbard; img19 Alice Cunningham; img20 Sarah Purvey; img21 Sennen / dark pool / Chuck Elliott; img22 Jemma Appleby; img23 Sarah Purvey and Chuck Elliott
Associated works
