Adebanji Alade introduces the ROI Annual Exhibition 2024
/ Royal Institute of Oil Painters
President of the ROI, Adebanji Alade, introduces the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition 2024.
A warm welcome to the Mall Galleries for the 137th Annual Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. This has always been the highlight of our year where we showcase paintings from our members, alongside works from non-members.
This year a near record number of artists submitted to the open call. The task of selecting the works for exhibition from so many wonderful paintings never gets any less daunting, but we are proud to say that a record number of non-member artists are exhibiting with us this year, many of them for the first time.
The mini-theme of our exhibition this year is simply entitled “EAT”. There is a dedicated wall space in the West Gallery where works on this theme will be displayed, so be on the lookout to see the diverse ways in which this theme has been interpreted by different artists; We are sure you’ll find it interesting.
We are pleased to announce three new prizes this year: The Roger Remington Award for an outstanding painting, the Rosemary Brushes Award for expressive brushwork and the Peter Wileman Award for imaginative work. These awards are added to encourage excellence and exceptional work in our exhibition. Alongside our other major awards, we will also be presenting a number of certificates of commendation to artists whose work we consider to be exceptional.
We are proud to say that a record number of non-member artists are exhibiting with us this year, many of them for the first time.
In 2024 we have been deeply saddened by the deaths of Robin Mackervoy ROI, Helen Hale ROI, June Mendoza FROI AO OBE RP Hon SWA, Philip James ROI, Valerie Smith Hon Sen ROI, Arthur Easton ROI and Barry Peckham ROI RSMA, as well as Rosemary Carr Hon Sen ROI and Anthony Green Hon ROI RA, whom we lost in 2023. As painters and as human beings, each of these inspirational artists helped make our society what it is today; it means a great deal to us to be able to honour their memories by hanging their work at this year’s Exhibition, and we are extremely grateful to the families of our much-missed colleagues for enabling us to do this.
On a happier note, we are delighted to have the work of our two centenarians, Ruth Pilkington Hon Sen ROI, Hon SWA and Anthony Eyton Hon ROI RA PS on show alongside us this year.
This year Trevor Chamberlain FROI RSMA, David Curtis FROI RSMA and the late June Mendoza FROI AO OBE RP Hon SWA, were elected as Fellows of the Institute, the highest status we can bestow, for their outstanding contributions to the Institute over many years.
We believe this year’s exhibition is of a very high standard and there are a lot of great pieces to add to your collection. Please check the events programme, so you do not miss our annual Art Event Evening, the ROI Paint Live Challenge, the amazing tour of the exhibition by Peter Graham ROI and many demonstrations by members during the show.
Adebanji Alade, President
ROI Annual Exhibition
The ROI Annual Exhibition 2024 is open at Mall Galleries from 28 November to 14 December 2024, 10am to 5pm. The full exhibition is available to purchase online now.