Wivenhoe artists feature in Royal Academy Summer Exhibition

Alison Stockmarr and Jo Angell, two regular exhibitors in the Wivenhoe Art Trail, have been selected from thousands of artists worldwide to take part in the prestigious London exhibition.

The theme for this year’s exhibition is 'making space', where coordinator Ann Christopher explores ideas of giving or taking space.

Yesterday (June 10), the artists attended the Royal Academy’s Varnishing Day, which is steeped in more than 250 years of tradition.

Artists - Both Alison and Jo have participated in Royal Academy exhibitions before. (Image: Alison Stockmarr)

All artists gathered in the Royal Academy courtyard and processed to Saint James’s Church, Piccadilly, accompanied by a steel band.

Following a service, the artists returned to the Royal Academy to see their artworks, indulge in a glass of Champagne and canapés, and mingle with the curators and participating artists.

Alison said: “Yesterday was very exciting, we had a really good time.

“It’s a huge honour, you feel very privileged to be accepted. There are thousands and thousands of applications from all over the globe.”

Display- Alison's work can be found in room VII in the RA. (Image: Alison Stockmarr)

Alison produces collage books which utilise visual storytelling.

Her two entries, ‘E is for Extinction, a subject not listed in this encyclopaedia 1969’ and ‘K is for Knowledge’ are companion pieces in her Alphabetical Encyclopaedia collection of works.

“It’s an incredible mish-mash of talent,” Alison continued. “When you have the likes of Constable and Turner who have traditionally exhibited their work in the Royal Academy, you feel in tremendous company.”

At Varnishing Day, Alison got to meet Cornelia Parker, one of her favourite artists of all time.

Among the celebrity artists included this year are Harry Hill and Joe Lycett.

Painting- Jo Angell usually works in oils, and this is her third time at the RA. (Image: Alison Stockmarr)

Alison has applied to the Royal Academy three times and been accepted twice.

For Jo, this is her third acceptance. She works in oils and her painting ‘Basket Island’ was created after an artist’s residency on the west coast of Ireland, inspired by the island’s history and the families who live there.

Alison’s work can be found in Room VII, curated by Anne Desmet.

Jo’s painting is in Room IV, where co-ordinator Anne Christopher placed architecture at the centre of this year’s Summer Exhibition.

Both artist will feature in the next Wivenhoe Art Trail, which runs from November 15-17.