RCA Graduate Show 2023
For the second year in a row the RCA student show at the Battersea campus gets my top nod but My God! there’s a lot to see. This year I made a beeline straight for the painting and sculpture floors, but my brief trips through the Design Products and Fashion floors made me think a return trip might be required.
You can go back and read my 2022 review if you’d like to know more about the campus, because this year I just focussed on trying to find the artists whose names I expect to be seeing a lot more of in the future. Read on and let me know if you agree.
Painting
1-3 = Amy Hui Li — @_amyhl
I stared at the flat oil abstracts long enough to see they have just as must depth as the large work covered in home-made felt and embroidery. Possibly more. Extra credit awarded for my favourite title in the show: “our last-ever text message was on the 14th of February 2023”
4-5 = Hyunhee Doh — @Hyunhee.Doh
You’ve got to get up close to figure out which of the creases and crevices are drawn and which have actual physical texture and depth courtesy of the Hanji paper that covers the wooden panel base.
6-7 = Kiki — @okikiakinfe
This year I’ve noticed a growing student-show trend for really, really, really widescreen paintings. These sometimes ethereal, sometimes surreal works more than justify the unusual aspect ratio.
8-11 = Kimberley Burrows — @KimberleyBurrowsArt
The beautifully framed Braille wall works are the clue that even in the very dimly lit studio, your eyes will still see more detail in the abstracts than the artist who made them: a disability advocate whose practice is informed by her sight loss.
12-15 = Marius Steiger — @2.marius
Stretching linen over bespoke vanity table and toadstool shaped canvasses is a stroke of brilliance to make trompe-l'œil paintings literally pop off the wall.
16-17 = Phoebe Evans — @phoebeevanspainting
Intriguing monochromatic architectural imagery that looks like Gillian Carnegie painted a Do Huh So installation.
18-21 = Santiago Llanos Gutierrez — @santiago.llanos.6ut13rr32
Entering the spiral structure feels like a precarious manoeuvre and once inside you’ll notice there’s no compelling reason to even be in there. In fact, none of the works wowed me but the overall install caught my attention and kept me in the room.
22 = Shaquelle Whyte — @shaq.whyte
Shaq is so hot right now that while I was complimenting him on his work a couple of monied collectors literally stepped between us and took over the conversation so they could namedrop all the Mayfair galleries they’re friends with. Welcome to the art world, Shaq!
23 = Susanne Baumann — @baumann3736
From a technical perspective, this contemporary take on a traditional motif might just be the single best painting in the show. Outstanding skill and the framing is captivating. If you’re going to do a mirror painting, make it count.
24 = Thomas D. Wright — @thomas_d_wright_art
These unapologetically grim hyperrealistic surgery paintings look like stills from a slasher film and definitely aren’t for the faint of heart, but they’re incredibly powerful.
Sculpture
1-3 = Frances Pinnock — @francespinnock
It’s leather and hemp, not bronze, and it would be lovely to see it outdoors reacting to a breeze.
4-5 = Malkah Landau-Wildy — @seraphicwoods
I walked away from The Ganymede works wishing they had all be lifted from a six-part sci-fi series you could binge on iPlayer.
6-7 = Marisa Polin — @marisapolinart
These muted colour fabric patterns are scattered throughout the Sculpture floor, capturing your attention every time they catch you eye.
8-10 = Paula Cordoba — @paulacordoba_
Oozy organic forms appear to drip off of bone. Grossly compelling.
11-12 = Sean Synnuck — @SeanSynnuck
Addressing two pressing issues science still can’t seem to eradicate: Manspreading and Tooth Decay.
Contemporary Art Practice
I also highly recommend visiting the CAP floor. It’s a riot of sights, sounds and smells and is possibly the most exciting and overwhelming art experience I’ve had this year. There’s actually too much to take it all in, since every student was clearly attempting to out-crazy everyone else. I’m not sure what any of it meant, and it’s all clearly a byproduct of the Instagram age, but immersive experiences are what everyone craves and in that regard, the future looks safe.
Plan your visit
‘RCA2023’ runs until 03 July.
Visit 2023.rca.ac.uk for more info about the venue, opening times & events.
🖼️ Want more art? Visit the What’s On page to see a list of recommended shows, sorted by closing date. Don’t miss ‘em!