RCA Secret: Promoting Creativity

RCA Secret: Promoting Creativity

Leading art and design university Royal College of Art’s (RCA) annual fundraising exhibition, RCA Secret, sponsored by Stewarts, returns this month. Bringing together over 1,800 postcard-sized original artworks by the likes of Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry, ceramicist Magdalene Odundo, director Ridley Scott, sculptor Maggi Hambling, video artist Jeremy Deller and conceptual practitioner Ryan Gander, the show demonstrates the breadth of creativity today.

Looking to the next generation of talent, the show also highlights pieces made by RCA students and graduates, showcasing the latest trends within the realm of contemporary art. Spanning photography and collage, drawing, painting, sculpture and more, the range of works is reflective of the new visionaries’ diversity. All proceeds go to the RCA Fund, which supports students at a formative time in their careers.

RCA Secret provides an innovative approach to curation and exhibition, encouraging audiences to test their knowledge by keeping the identity of each maker hidden. This sense of anonymity is at once democratic and alluring; offering viewers new perspectives on a broad selection of works by names including include fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park, contemporary artists Bob and Roberta Smith, sculptor Alison Wilding and artist Celia Hempton.

Each original piece reflects the signature style and technical rigour of each practitioner, translating a range of subject matter and media into postcard format – a unique challenge that results in a plethora of conceptually and visually striking results.

Established in 1994, the initiative offers viewers the opportunity to own artwork by renowned practitioners from a variety of different fields. Previous contributors include David Bowie, Yoko Ono, Stella McCartney, David Bailey, Sir James Dyson, Tracey Emin, Norman Foster, Anish Kapoor, Jarvis Cocker, Steve McQueen, Gerhard Richter, Zandra Rhodes, Sir Paul Smith and Yinka Shonibare.

The exhibition opens 30 November at the RCA’s Kensington campus. Supporters will have the opportunity to purchase artworks from 1-3  December. Collection day: 6 December or postcards can be mailed to the recipient if unable to attend the collection day.

Find out more here. 

Credits:
1. Postcard contributions for RCA Secret 2018, the artist is only revealed after purchase.