Inspiring Art for Everyone: a look inside the RWA's Fundraising Auction
By Lauren Smith
‘I LOVE YOU’ in bold technicolour, broadsheets and their readers on canvas and frame, poignant seas and engaging abstracts – there’s something for all manner of tastes and styles at the RWA’s latest exhibition, and I would highly recommend to catch it while you can.
Inspiring Art for Everyone is on display in the beautiful RWA galleries and open for bidding until 22nd of August – it’s a one-off fundraising auction supported by Bonhams, the international auctioneers, and is raising much needed funds to support the RWA’s work as a charity.
The show features major works of art by leading 20th-century and contemporary artists, and packs a real punch. It’s a unique opportunity to view pieces by some of our most cherished practitioners, including Damien Hirst, Janette Kerr PPRWA, Sir Peter Blake, Valda Jackson, and more. Most of the works have been provided directly either by the artist or their estates, and many are on display for the first time.
It’s a wonderfully eclectic mix that’s visually stimulating and diverse, sure to provide you with something new and unexpected. I was delighted to discover Simon Quadrat’s ‘The Illuminated Greenhouse’, taken by its enigmatic mood and surreal sky – and left the exhibition feeling curious and enriched.
Why is the RWA fundraising?
The RWA is a completely self-funded charity, and is fully reliant on ticket sales, sponsorship, donations and earned income (including art sales) to keep its doors open. Auctions like these are a great way to raise money, while giving people like you and me the chance to view works we might not otherwise get to see, completely free of charge.
What will the funds go towards?
If you’ve not been to the RWA before, you might not know that the gallery does an enormous amount of work with the local community. On a recent tour of the gallery I was warmed to learn about the various community groups the charity hosts throughout the week – making art accessible to everyone, while also providing a safe, welcoming, vibrant and inclusive public space that’s open to all.
How can I take part?
Fear not – you don’t need to bid on an artwork in the auction to support the RWA.
The fundraising exhibition is free to visit, with donations welcome. An Art Pass gives you unlimited entry to the RWA all year round for just £16, and is a wonderful way of supporting the charity, the artists on show, and the vital support it provides to local communities.
What else is on?
Inspiring Art for Everyone is part of a wider programme of free exhibitions at the gallery. You can also see ‘A Home for Art’, and ‘Academy’, which both explore the RWA’s rich heritage and fascinating history. The gallery’s 171st Annual Open Exhibition will open on the 14th of September – a highly anticipated show that I can’t wait to see.
To learn more about the Fundraising exhibition, click here. To donate to the RWA, click here.