Art in Motion (AIM) artist Chris Rose has won the Academy Award in the 173rd Annual Open Exhibition.

Chris' work, Self Portrait with Guinea Pig, was chosen out of 100's of contemporary artworks that feature in the exhibition.  

Hamish Young, President of the Academicians, the RWA's artist membership body who was part of the selection committee for this year's exhibition shared that "The artist's assertive brush marks and use of colour have an energy and freshness about them that belies the tenderness of the image. It highlights that strength can coexist with connection and a deep sense of belonging." 

Chris, who lives in Bristol, reflected that the style of the painting is not his “usual style" creating the work after exploring different styles of painting exploring different styles of painting with AIM’s team of artist facilitators. Chris shared that he was particularly inspired by the painting Lady with Ermine where he kept on "imagining how that would look with me and my guinea pig, Luca” and how he could use this style to convey “how much guinea pigs mean to me and how much like they look after me as much as I look after them”. 

On the award, Chris shared that to “to see my work on the wall in the RWA and to receive an award is just amazing.” 

AIM Director, Colin Higginson, shared that " We believe strongly that our Artists, and disabled and neurodiverse communities should have equal access to developing their careers as contemporary artists, seeing Chris' work recognised for its excellence by RWA is an important moment for Chris' future career" 

Chris joins over 300 selected artists in the 173rd Annual Open, including John Maine RA; Angela Lizon RWA, the 2026 Jackson’s Art Prize winner, and Jemma Appleby RWA, this year’s Charles Wollaston Royal Academy Summer Exhibition award winner.  

The 173rd Annual Open runs until 3 January 2026, Tuesday 10am – 8pm and Wednesday – Thursday 10am – 5pm.  Original artwork and editions are available to purchase. 

The prizes in the 173rd Annual Open Exhibition were generously sponsored by Evolver Magazine, PJ Crook RWA, Derek Balmer PPRWA, Friends of the RWA, Fiona Robinson PPRWA, Niche Frames, Pangolin Digital, Cass Art, Consumer Intelligence, and the Emerging Artist Prize awarded in loving memory of Andrew Cole. 

We are delighted that the 173 Annual Open is sponsored by Hive Financial Planning and Abode

Lead image: Self Portrait with Guinea Pig, Photographer Alastair Brookes / KoLAB Studios