Young Artists' Summer Show 2024
16 July - 11 August 2024
Clore Learning Centre | Burlington Gardens
Tues–Sun: 10am–6pm
Fri: 10am–9pm
Free
no booking required
From ninja horses to dogs in love, bacon in the forest to giggles in the breeze, the artists featured in the sixth year of the Young Artists’ Summer Show have amazed us once again.
Artists are at the heart of everything we do at the Royal Academy of Arts – we’ve been championing them since 1768 and firmly believe in nurturing young talent and celebrating the next generation of artists.
Now in its sixth year, the Young Artists’ Summer Show is a free, open submission exhibition for students aged 4–19 studying in the UK. Artworks are judged by a panel of passionate artists and arts professionals, with selected artworks displayed online and on-site at the Royal Academy of Arts.
More than 21,000 students participated this year, thanks to the commitment of teachers, parents and guardians who are championing the role of art in education. Our judges were overwhelmed by the insight, imagination and inspiration in the artworks they saw as they selected the artworks exhibited.
Rebecca Salter, President of the RA, has awarded a variety of prizes to this year’s artists and you can vote for your favourite artworks in our annual People’s Choice Award.
Made by students aged 4–19 across the UK, this exhibition is a showcase and celebration of the skill and creativity of young artists.
Tues–Sun: 10am–6pm
Fri: 10am–9pm
Free
no booking required
Supporters
Made possible by
Robin Hambro
Meet the artists
Hear from some of the stars of this year's Young Artists' Summer Show about what inspired them and how they created their artworks.
Gallery
Strength,
Inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s Nana sculptures and Keith Haring’s dancing figures. I drew my friends dancing to music before designing my sculpture. Then, I formed the wire into the shape of the body, screwed it into a board then added the other materials and paint. I called it Strength because of the muscles it is showing off.
The Day She Kissed Me,
I started to use the sponge and I realised it could make kisses. Then I got carried away and my picture got carried away with me.
Grandma and Grandpa in Blue Mountain,
My picture is of tropical Jamaica. I went to visit Blue Mountain with Grandma and Grandpa and we went for a hike. We picked oranges, grapefruit and lemons. My picture reminds me of when we went there. It is a special place for me because the jungle is colourful and I like picking fruit. It is so different to London!
The Gathering,
This piece is inspired by spiritual gatherings held amongst close ones, depicting the intimate moments of a family amidst silent prayer. It captures the essence of seeking purity and cleansing of both the mind and soul.
Heart Radio,
I was listening to Heart Radio when I started to paint my picture. The music helped me create it, I like the abstract pattern.
Purrfect Pose,
The sofa is Sally’s special spot. She looks like a queen, all calm and cool, with her eyes saying, ‘Welcome to my world.’ I painted her fur with soft colours, making it shine in the light. This painting is all about how much I love my cat Sally and how she’s always there for me, making our home cosy and warm.
The Bicy Goal That Won the Game!,
I painted a football player doing a bicycle kick because I love football. Bicycle kicks are really cool. I practice my bicycle kicks a lot. My dream is to score a bicycle kick goal in a match one day. But if you turn the paining around, then it’s just a man kicking a ball. That is cool.
Daffodil Horse,
I chose to draw this picture because horses are my favourite animal. I also love yellow daffodils. This picture makes me feel happy. I love the technique I used, combining charcoal and oil pastels on my paper.
The Downs,
This is a picture of the South Downs near where I live. I wanted to show all the colours in the environment but I wanted to make it about the shapes of the fields as well. I really liked using the oil pastels.
What Are You Looking At?,
This image was taken in South Beach, Miami. The tableau style composition looks as if the photograph is staged, yet the positioning of all the different characters in the photograph was serendipitous. This photograph is part of my ongoing project ‘Smiles and Frowns’, in which I document different strangers who become subjects for a wider view of society and how we act.
Video tour
Young Artists' Summer Show online
See all of the selected artworks in the Young Artists' Summer Show online exhibition, and vote for your favourite artworks in our annual People’s Choice Award.
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21 June 2023
