Convenor's Essay

Lennox Dunbar RSA in studio

Over the years, it has been a privilege and an incredibly rewarding experience to serve on many Hanging and Arrangement Committees for the RSA. This is however my first time serving as Convenor of the Annual Exhibition and I consider it a great honour to have been entrusted with this role by my fellow Academicians.

I was fully aware of the enormity of the task, and, as in previous years, conscious that in this role, I had the opportunity to bring my own vision and ideas to the framework of the exhibition.

As we approach our 200th anniversary next year, it's clear that the field in which we work has expanded considerably since our formation two centuries ago. Film, photography and digital media have all gained rightful recognition, alongside the traditional disciplines of painting, sculpture and architecture, which still hold value and relevance within today's Academy.

The Annual Exhibition has undergone many changes over the years. Exhibitors have been invited by the Convenor and Hanging Committees; the Open element has been removed and now reinstated; and we’ve seen thematic exhibitions—all of which have contributed to a different feel for the show each year. Some changes have been more successful than others, but all have shown that the RSA is open to change and evolving with the times.
Lennox Dunbar RSA, Sudden Wave

The flexibility I was given in shaping this year’s exhibition is a credit to the RSA Council and the Academy’s staff. Early on, I made two key decisions: not to invite any guest artists, and not to hand-pick the Hanging Committee. I wanted the Assembly of Academicians to choose the committee members. I believe it’s important to work with colleagues you may not know well, and to give newer Academicians the opportunity to gain experience on the Hanging Committees. A diverse mix—of experience, gender, and discipline—is vital to achieving the right balance.

I can remember, as a young artist, the excitement of submitting work through the Open Call and the thrill of being selected to hang alongside esteemed artists. By continuing to offer opportunities to both national and international artists, I hope we encourage even more submissions in the future—and demonstrate that the RSA remains fully committed to inclusion, just as I experienced as a young artist.

The high number of quality submissions this year was incredibly encouraging, though it made the selection process particularly challenging for the Hanging Committee. The introduction of online submissions in recent years has made the process more accessible and less time-consuming and costly for artists. Still, as always, there are works of great merit that, for various reasons, cannot be included in the final hang. The curation of such a large and varied exhibition is complex, requiring careful judgement and an understanding of how different works relate to one another. This often involves difficult decisions and frequent reconfigurations of the layout.

As a team, we have striven to include as many Open submissions as possible and to hang them thoughtfully alongside works by Academicians. The diversity and high standard of work is clearly evident in what is displayed throughout these magnificent galleries.
Leon Patchett, EGG I

Special thanks must go to Neil McIntosh and his installation team for their help, patience, and tolerance in accommodating all the changes by the Hanging Committee during installation. I am also very grateful to those who supported me throughout the planning stages: Amy Cameron, Exhibitions and Opportunities Manager, whose calm guidance was invaluable; Colin Greenslade, RSA Director; Emily Randall, Exhibitions Coordinator; and the rest of the RSA team who helped bring the exhibition together both in the galleries and online.

Thank you as well to Robin Webster RSA, Architect Convenor, and Ben Addy RSA for their contributions to what I hope you will agree is a great exhibition.

Finally, my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues on the Hanging Committee—Ade Adesina RSA, Michael Agnew RSA, Kate Downie RSA, Derrick Guild RSA, Gordon Munro RSA, and Marion Smith RSA—who gave generously of their time and supported me through many complex decisions.
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