Once again it’s RCA Secret time where the public is invited to try and spot the named artists from the students in order to acquire a mini-masterpiece at a bargain price. New and internationally acclaimed artists are in the pick ‘n’ mix so be prepared to try and separate the pretenders from the establishment, all for a good cause.
This year, illustrators and designers have also donated work to support the next generation of talent at RCA. Established in 1994, Stewarts RCA Secret is London’s original postcard exhibition. Each year, supporters are given the opportunity to purchase artwork by some of the world’s most celebrated artists, illustrators and designers, as well as up-and-coming graduates and students from the College.
The identity of each artwork’s maker is kept a secret and revealed only once the £60 donation is made – putting supporters’ taste and knowledge to the test. All proceeds go to the RCA Fund, which supports the next generation of RCA students at a formative time in their careers.
More than 1,800 artworks will be exhibited this year and confirmed contributors include Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry, film director Ridley Scott, fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, conceptual, video and installation artist Jeremy Deller, conceptual artist Ryan Gander, painter and sculptor Maggi Hambling, photomontage artist Peter Kennard, ceramicist Magdalene Odundo, Wallace and Gromit creator, Nick Park, contemporary artist Bob and Roberta Smith, sculptor Alison Wilding and artist Celia Hempton.
Each contribution is an original artwork, produced with the same rigour as any other work by the maker. Although restricted to being postcard size, the subject matter and approaches vary widely, from photography and collage to drawing, painting, and even sculpture and embroidery.Previous contributors include renowned alumni and friends of the College such as David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Stella McCartney, David Bailey, Sir James Dyson, Tracey Emin, Norman Foster, Anish Kapoor, Jarvis Cocker, Steve McQueen, Gerhard Richter, Zandra Rhodes, Sir Paul Smith and Yinka Shonibare.
RCA Secret will be open for viewing from Friday 30 November at the RCA’s Kensington campus. Supporters will have the opportunity to purchase their artworks from Saturday 1 December to Monday 3 December.
Images of all artworks in the exhibition will be released online from 9am on Thursday 29 November, 24 hours before the show opens to the public. In order to purchase artwork, supporters must register on the RCA Secret website to obtain a buyer’s ID. Buyers will be able to buy their chosen artworks, initially capped at four per buyer, throughout the exhibition from 1 to 3 December. On the last day of the exhibition, everyone will be welcome to come back and choose unlimited artworks.
Artworks can be collected in person on the collection day, Thursday 6 December, or posted once the exhibition has closed.
Engaging in teaching and research, the Royal College of Art was recently named the world’s leading university of art and design in the prestigious QS World University Subject Rankings 2018 for the fourth consecutive year. It offers the degrees of MA, MRes, MPhil and PhD across the disciplines of applied art, architecture, fine art, design, communications and humanities.
It offers 28 highly specialised programmes in Art & Design to over 2,000 Master’s and Doctoral students and more than 800 professionals interacting with them – including researchers, professors, art and design practitioners, along with advisers and distinguished visitors.
Senior Common Room, Royal College of Art, Darwin Building, entrance off Jay Mews SW7 2EU Exhibition & artwork selection: Sat 1 December 12 – 6pm; Sun 2 and Mon 3 December 10am – 6pm Collection day: Thurs 6 December from 4 – 8pm Viewing day: Fri 30 November from 12 – 7pm