When
Friday 18th November - Sunday 25th November, Sale takes place Saturday 26th November 2011
Where
Royal College of Art
For just £45.00 you can purchase your very own signed limited edition artwork from a famous painter, illustrator or designer at the 2011 RCA Secret exhibition. London based Royal College of Art has been holding this event since 1994, and every year art fans queue up for hours for a chance to snag an original work of art on the cheap, but whether it’s by a celebrity artist or not is anyone’s guess.
Celebrity contributors
Some of the famous artists contributing to the postcards displayed at RCA Secret exhibition London event this year include many famous contributers. In previous years the likes of Grayson Perry, Damien Hirst, Yoko Ono, Tracey Emin, Mike Leigh, Mary Quant, Paul Smith and Quentin Blake have contributed, and there are several regulars who will always pen a postcard or two for the event. Hundreds of leading artists provide art for the RCA Secret exhibition, which has even attracted names such as Paul McCartney, Manolo Blahnik and David Bailey before.
Student artists
Of course, these famous faces aren’t the only talents on display. Royal College of Art students and recent graduates, along with more students from other respected art colleges will be lending their talents to decorate the postcards. So even if you don’t wind up with an RCA Secret piece by a celebrity artist, hold on to it because they just might become the next darling of the art world.
About the sale
Here’s how it works: Go down to the RCA and view the postcards during the exhibition, which lasts from 11am - 6pm, Friday 18th November - Friday 25th November 2011. Following that is your one day chance to purchase the postcards at the RCA, at the first come, first served sale day on Saturday 26th November 2011, from 8am - 6pm. Each person is limited to four postcards, which cost £45.00 each. The catch is that the cards are signed on the back, so you don’t get to know who’s created it until after it’s been purchased. And don’t think of returning it unless there’s been an honest mix-up!
Queue jumping for art
The Royal College of Art has been holding the RCA Secret exhibition London event for the last 18 years, and to prevent dozens of art fanatics camping outside the RCA for days they hold a raffle for the first 50 places in line. Each person can purchase five raffle tickets, and the winners will be guaranteed a top spot at the front of the queue. This year the sale takes place on Saturday 26th November 2011 so that 9 to 5ers can have a better chance of purchasing their favourites.
View the postcards online
If you’re so busy that you can’t make it along to the preview exhibition, you can also see the postcards on the RCA website. All of the postcards are available to view on the site from Friday 18th November 2011.
Art for a cause
All proceeds from the postcard exhibition will go to the Royal College of Fine Art Student Award Fund, which helps support student artists during their years at the college. So far the postcard sales have raised over £650,000 for the fund, thanks to the contributions from all the art fans and collectors in training.
The RCA Secret exhibition London event takes place at the Royal College of Arts from 11am, - 6pm Friday 18th November - Friday 25th November 2011, with the late night opening until 9pm at the gallery for one day on Thursday 24th November 2011. Admission is free.
The sale takes place from 8am - 6pm, Saturday 26th November 2011, although the sale may close earlier if all of the postcards have been sold.
For more information or to register for the RCA Secret sale, click on the link below.
RCA Secret Official Site
More London exhibitions