Founded in 1882, the ROI is unique in that it exhibits work exclusively in oils.The exhibition is at the Mall Galleries and continues until 23rd December. For the first time ever, you can also see many of the paintings online also on the Mall Galleries!
When I first walked in I thought I'd arrived at the NEAC exhibition of old as there was lots of colour and well hung walls to draw you in.
The Institute's aim is to 'uphold the age-old tradition of painting in oils, whilst giving encouragement to outstanding young oil painters of our time'.
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| Cover of the ROI's 125th Annual Exhibition Catalogue |
This year, for the first time, you can see most of the artwork in the exhibition online on the new Mall Galleries Shows website - which is a fantastic development.
Every image gets a square box which means that if it's square you get to see it better. Those which are an exaggerated landscape or portrait format lose out rather. Click on a work and you can see it in more detail including the size and price.
You can look at work by different categories - members, non members and young artists.
(although the URL doesn't seem to differentiate between the different groups for the purposes of hyperlinking to the website). Note that some artists don't have all their work represented on the website.
As the exhibition doesn't have its own sub-domain, the way they've got it set up suggests that the works will come down after the exhibition rather than staying up all the time or for a longer period as for example happens with the NEAC Shop website. To my mind some of the colours are also a bit off - maybe painters need a bit of practice at getting digital images to match colours in real life?
Awards and prizes
Artists who won prizes are as follows:
The Alan Gourlay Memorial Award - an annual prize of £1,000 for a painting of outstanding merit - The Photographer by Valeriy Gridnev ROI PS RP
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| The Alan Gourlay Memorial Award The Photographer (£11,000) by Valeriy Gridnev 99cm x 120cm, oil painting |
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| Winsor and Newton Non-Member Awards First Prize - Introspection by Oliver Newton (bottom right) Second Prize - A Natural Education by Leanne Rutter (Middle) Third Prize - I can see the sea by Alice Hall (top left) |
Work produced by the young artists was really excellent. It's very clear there are some strong contenders for future membership.
- 1st prize (£1,000 W&N Art Materials) - Introspection (120cm x 80cm / £1,200) by Oliver Durcan
- 2nd Prize (£600 W&N Art Materials) - A Natural Education (120 x 185cm / £7,950 Sold) - Leanne Rutter
- 3rd prize (£400 W&N Art Materials) - I can see the sea (78 x 108cm, £3,200) by Alice Hall
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| Crop of A Natural Education by Leanne Rutter |
I discussed it with others and the consensus we came too was that it looked very much as if had been as a portrait for the BP Portrait. However none of those who I talked with could work out why it didn't get in! If it wasn't submitted then she should do another one for the 2013 exhibition!
I shall certainly be watching out for her work in future. Neither her own website or the Mall Galleries website does this painting justice - this is a painting one to go and see for yourself! The crop on the left is a taster!
I've also seen work by Alice Hall winning prizes before - in watercolour! I like it a lot.
The Dartington Crystal Chalice Award - Awarded annually in recognition of outstanding service and contribution to the ROI. This year awarded to the President Peter Wileman PROI, ARSMA FRSA
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| Group of paintings by Peter Wileman |
L. Cornelissen & Son Award - a kneasel was presented and won by David Curtis ROI RSMA. Do click the link and take a look at the kneasel - it's quite a remarkable design!
The DAS Award - a Bristol Blue Glass Bowl and £500 awarded to The Parade (38 x 68cm £3,100) by Edman O'Aivazian ROI RSMA
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| The DAS Award The Parade by Edman O'Aivazian38 x 68cm, £3,100 |
This is for an outstanding group of paintings but I toured the exhibition twice without spotting the label for this one.
Menena Joy Schwabe Memorial Award - an award of £250 for an outstanding oil painter was won by Graham Webber for Toward the Packing Shed at dusk. (Link to award ceremony on his website in which he describes his paintings and approach) Graham is one of the group of Winsor & Newton Young Artists and I met him last night at the Art Event evening. It's always interesting to see how prizewinners paint! You can see more of his paintings here
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| Menena Joy Schwabe Memorial AwardToward the Packing Shed at dusk (£1,500) by Graham Webber 60 x 85cm |
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| Frank Herring Easel Award Lemon Tea (£500) -by Liz Balkwill 38 x 33cm |
Work I liked
My overall impression is that the non members are hard on the heels of the members! Here's a note of the work I liked and links to the artist's websites.
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| Wye Valley from Symonds Yat by Malcolm Ashman |
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Morning Sunlight, the Vendange, Alsace
by Fred Beckett
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- Wye Valley from Symonds Yat by Malcolm Ashman ROI (Malcolm Ashman) - mainly because I liked his use of colour and partly because I'm always intrigued by other people's paintings of 'the grand view' that I have also tried! You can follow Malcolm on Facebook.
- Morning Sunlight, the Vendange, Alsace by Fred Beckett ROI RI RSMA RBA - because of the use of colour and because I like paintings of people doing normal things even if it is an annual event!
- Wave Study by Simon Royer - focusing on a quieter aspect of waves which for some reason doesn't get painted so often. (Also available as a print)
- a couple of coastal paintings by David Pilgrim AROI (David Pilgrim) - Old Harry Rocks, Dorset and Cromer Pier
- paintings by Bryan Ryder and Luis Morris- as always. You can see more of Luis's paintings here
- Linda Payne's The Allotments in Winter was I thought a brilliant example of how the right choice of frame can make a painting really stunning.
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| The Allotments in Winter (£500) by Linda Payne 56 x 56cm |
Incidentally - for those who follow these things - I'm seeing more and more 'bone' coloured frames in the range between white and taupe. I think I've got to the point where I can tell the age of the painter by the type of frame they use!
As with NEAC, the majority of paintings are selling under the £1,000 mark - it takes an exceptional work to sell for more.
Art demonstrations and Art Events
It's worth noting that this society takes its demonstrations and art events seriously. Three demonstrations are given during the course of the Exhibition.
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| Roger Dellar demonstration, 17th December 2012 |
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| Art Event Evening 17th December 2012 |
Other Blog posts about the Exhibition / Art Event
- by Peter Wileman, President of the ROI - Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition Private View
- by ROI Blog - ROI Art Event Evening
- by Addebanji Alade AROI
- Highlights from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition 2012 (Main Category)
- Highlights of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters (Under 35 Category) 2012
- Highlights from the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (Open Painting Evening) 2012
- by Haidee-Jo Summers
- 124th Annual Exhibition of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters 06 Dec 2011
- Review: Royal Institute of Oil Painters - 123rd Annual Exhibition 2010 11 Dec 2010
- Winsor and Newton Oil Painter Awards 07 Dec 2010
- Exhibition Review - Royal Institute of Oil Painters 09 Nov 2009
- The Royal Institute of Oil Painters - 121st Annual Exhibition 06 Nov 2008
Links for oil painters
Please note subscriptions only become live after you have verified the link in the email you will receive
I love seeing so many artists in one spot like this, Katherine. So many beautiful submissions; wish I could see them in person.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun...having your perspective on this delightful annual exhibition.
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