I suppose it was to be expected that the art world would return to beauty at some point. I mean, when anything can be considered art, even a banana taped to a wall, then the only place left to go is back to the classical principles of art; back to craftspersonship and skill; back to beauty.
This year’s Summer Exhibition is beautiful. There’s no other word for it. The walls of the Royal Academy are painted in pretty pastel hues, the rooms are light and airy, the works are predominantly framed in simple, thin frames. It’s a dazzling feast of elegance and delight.
The theme of this year’s exhibition is Only Connect, taken from EM Forster’s novel Howard’s End. Published in 1910, the novel explores the social conventions, codes of conduct and relationships in early twentieth century England. Forster calls on his characters to connect head and heart, thought and feelings - their “Inner life” and “Outer Life”. For the selected artists, that connection fell into clear themes, notably the following:
Botanicals
Flowers in vases, landscapes, sea-scapes, garden-scapes, botanicals were everywhere. One of the viewing rooms is even painted in a dark, forest green.
Figurative works
This is an art “trend” that has been growing stronger and stronger over the last few years. From Tracey Emin’s spidery figure drawings, to collage and photography, the figure is a predominant theme in this year’s exhibition.
Portraiture
I was really happy to see so many portraits and self-portraits in the exhibition. I suppose the Only Connect theme leant itself to studies of the face, but even so, it was a delight to see so many people’s faces looking back at me from the walls.
Nature
Birds, fruit, trees, clouds: classical subjects executed in contemporary painting and printing methods. It was clear that Nature was the principle way many of the artists found connection between their head and heart.
It’s interesting that these are very traditional art themes that would have been found in art created at the turn of the century when Forster wrote Howard’s End.
There is very little overtly political art in this year’s exhibition and the pieces that have been selected were created in a decorative way; nothing dark or gloomy in this year’s show. Undoubtedly this was a deliberate decision by the curators to keep an air of optimism around the exhibition, something that is severely lacking outside of the Academy. With the pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the cost of living crisis and climate change, the UK needs a dose of optimism and a reminder of beauty. Does it feel a little light in concept because of its focus on beauty? Perhaps. But I think it’s okay to remind ourselves that art can be an escape from the ugliness of this world; that an exhibition can offer breathing space and an opportunity to marvel in the skill of the human hand (no AI here). Art can offer a temporary respite from daily worries, and perhaps right now that is exactly what visitors need.
Here’s to beauty and optimism.
Until next time.
JC
RESOURCES
The Summer Exhibition 2023 has now closed but you can take a quick video tour of it HERE