Royal Academy Of Arts

Abstract Expressionism is considered one of the seminal movements in 20th century art. But to what extent do this generation of artists identify with the movement and its ideas? Artists Gabriel Hartley, Lisa Denyer and Selma Parlour explore their connection to Abstract Expressionism and examine the extent to which the spirit of the movement may be identified in the work of today’s young artists.

Senior Curator Adrian Locke introduces the RA's exhibition ‘Intrigue: James Ensor by Luc Tuymans’ and examines the life and work of this truly original artist. Though largely unknown in the UK, James Ensor is celebrated as one of Belgium’s most innovative artists, an enigmatic figure who rejected the academic training of his youth to cultivate his own individual style in the face of considerable opposition and hostile criticism.

Listen in on an exceptional evening of short stories with philosopher, author and academic A.C. Grayling. Presented in partnership with Pin Drop, a unique initiative that communicates the unforgettable power of storytelling.

In this talk, Professor Sarah Churchwell examines the social and cultural context that created this first truly American modernist movement and the beginning of New York City’s influence as the centre of the western art world. An unparalleled period in American art, the rise of Abstract Expressionism in America in the 1930s and 1940s reflected the broader cultural context of mid-20th-century America. Global economic, social and political developments impacted on the American, and in particular New York, art scene and led to the emergence of a movement that broke with conventions and brought American art to prominence worldwide.

How do we use writing to help us understand architecture and communicate our experience of it? Our panel discuss. With Professor Adrian Forty (The Bartlett), Dr. Kester Rattenbury (University of Westminster) and Professor Vyv Evans (Bangor University).

Looking beyond traditional notions of infrastructure, speakers put forward a range of propositions for ensuring London maintains its status as a global city over the next few decades.

Artist Tacita Dean discusses her work, including her 16mm film 'Portraits' with RA Artistic Director Tim Marlow.

Curator Edith Devaney introduces the ‘Abstract Expressionism’ exhibition and examines the key concepts behind this artistic phenomenon. From the moment that it first emerged in the late 1940s, Abstract Expressionism has been a subject of debate. Although perceived to be a unified movement, in reality it was a much more complex and fluid phenomenon. The Abstract Expressionists broke fresh ground with their attitudes towards scale, colour and composition. Artists like Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko and Willem de Kooning challenged accepted conventions to unleash a new confidence in painting.

Portraits: Tacita Dean RA in conversation with Tim Marlow by Royal Academy of Arts

International Architects Series: Heneghan Peng by Royal Academy of Arts

John Wardle, one of Australia’s leading architects, explores the ways his buildings weave together landscape, history, memory and materials.

Floating Ideas: Plug-In To Housing by Royal Academy of Arts

Floating Ideas: Architecture On The Edge by Royal Academy of Arts

As a tribute to John Partridge RA, who passed away this summer aged 91, we present this podcast from our archive, in which the architect is in conversation with Elain Harwood, senior architectural investigator for Historic England. Photo: Dennis Toff

A portrait can be defined as an artistic representation of a person, with an intent to display their likeness, personality and even their mood. But who determines what we really see? As a collaboration between subject and artist, to what extent do they each influence our perception of the person who is being presented? Portrait artists James Lloyd and Daphne Todd, and philosopher Nigel Warburton discuss the roles of the subject, artist and viewer in how we understand a portrait. This event is chaired by writer and broadcaster Charlotte Mullins. Image caption: 'Dame Maggie Smith' (detail), James Lloyd. 'Lord Armstrong in blue' (detail), Daphne Todd

Curator Edith Devaney introduces David Hockney’s portrait exhibition, giving an insight into this remarkable series of work and Hockney’s relationship with portraiture as well as her experiences of being one of Hockney’s subjects.

While many contemporary portraits demonstrate a respect for the traditions of portraiture, others are places for experimentation and play, employing various media and different approaches to depiction. Writer and curator Sandy Nairne, former director of the National Portrait Gallery, explores developments in contemporary portraiture, and examines how this well-established genre within Western art has been used by artists such as Hockney to innovate.

Discover the origins, characters, behind-the-scene stories as well as the experiences of visitors and artists in the history of the RA Summer Exhibition, the world’s largest open submission of contemporary arts, with the RA Senior Curator of Collections Helen Valentine. Image caption: The 163rd Summer Exhibition, 1931: Sending In Day and works of art are being moved into the Academy for selection. / Unidentified photographer working for Sport and General Press Agency Photo credit: © Royal Academy of Arts, London

Richard Wilson RA is internationally celebrated for his interventions in architectural space which draw heavily for their inspiration from the worlds of engineering and construction. He is best known for his provoking and playful installations, such as 20:50, a sea of reflective sump oil which is permanently installed in the Saatchi Collection. Here, the artist discusses his celebrated career with Tim Marlow and some of his ideas behind the coordination of this year’s Summer Exhibition. Photo: Harry Borden

When Ron Husband started to forget things - dates, names, appointments … daft things, important things - it took a while to realise that this was ‘a different form of forgetting’. But it was just the first sign of the illness that gradually took him away from the family he loved. In support of Dementia Awareness Week Tony Husband talks about his work as a cartoonist and his inspiration and journey through creating the book 'Take Care, Son: The Story of My Dad and Dementia', a touching illustrated story framed as a chat between Tony and his dad.