Tony Bevan RA
Painter Tony Bevan creates forceful figurative imagery centred on the human form in isolation. His paintings are characterised by their expressive lines and psychological intensity. Tony Bevan became a Royal Academician in 2007.
Frank Bowling RA
Elected to the Academy in 2005, Frank Bowling has made a significant contribution to the field of painting. He is largely known for his explorations of colour and abstraction, with his large-scale Map Paintings attracting significant acclaim in the late 1960s.
Tracey Emin RA
Tracey Emin is world-renowned for her highly expressive works. Through intimate reference to her personal life experiences she explores issues of feminity, sexuality and love. Tracey Emin was elected to the Royal Academy in 2007 and was invited to select and hang one of the galleries in 2008’s Summer Exhibition.
Tess Jaray RA
Painter Tess Jaray explores the interaction of form and colour, creating shifting, repetitive patterns which play with ideas of perception and dimension. Elected to the Royal Academy in 2010, she is also known for her paving designs in London’s Victoria Station and Birmingham’s Centenary Square.
Richard Long RA
Nature has long been central to Richard Long’s practice, providing the material, subject and setting for works which rethink the parameters of sculpture. A Royal Academician since 2001, he is known for a series of works created from walks he has undertaken in a range of natural landscapes around the world.
Ian McKeever RA
Ian McKeever’s paintings are characterised by their ability to capture the transient and ephemeral qualities of light. Since the 1980s his work has become more abstract, reflecting his interest in the human form and architectural structures. He became a Royal Academician in 2003.
David Nash RA
Sculptor David Nash is known for working with natural materials, often wood. He is best-known for a series of sculptures shaped from living trees. He was elected to Academy in 1999.
Humphrey Ocean RA
Humphrey Ocean’s paintings are characterised by their muted tones and flat areas of colour. A Royal Academician since 2004, he is known for his portraiture, depicting his subjects in relaxed poses and casual clothing. He is also noted for his paintings of everyday objects and urban settings.
Yinka Shonibare MBE RA
A Royal Academician since 2013, Yinka Shonibare MBE draws on his West African heritage to create sculptural works exploring issues of post-colonialism, race and class. He often uses textiles and costume to interrogate ideas of identity and representation.
Joe Tilson RA
Joe Tilson is known for his leading role in the British Pop art movement, embracing advances in technology and commenting on the mass media. His art is characterised by its diagrammatic imagery and bold colours. He was elected to the Academy in 1991.
Find out more
The Royal Academicians are central to the work of the Royal Academy, helping to steer its vision and support its activities - including the Summer Exhibition, the world's longest-running open submission exhibition.
This year’s exhibition opens from 8 June to 16 August 2015 and is coordinated by the artist Michael Craig-Martin RA. Find out more.
Images of artworks by many Royal Academicians past and present are available on Artimage, as well as rare and unseen portraits. Our fees go back to artists and their estates, supporting their practice and livelihood.
Useful links:
- Browse images in our Royal Academicians collection
- Register for an account to create a lightbox and request images online
Image credits: Head, 2001, Tony Bevan © Tony Bevan, All rights reserved, DACS 2015; Midwinterstump, 2011, Frank Bowling © Frank Bowling, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015; Crucified and Strung, 2014, Tracey Emin © Tracey Emin, All rights reserved, DACS 2015, Image courtesy White Cube; After Malevich 19, 2012, Tess Jaray © Tess Jaray, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Photo Sam Roberts; A Line in the Himalayas, 1975, Richard Long © Richard Long, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Photo Richard Long; Temple Painting (FQ), 2005-2006, Ian McKeever © Ian McKeever, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Photo Anders Sune Berg, Copenhagen; Pods in Trough, 1975, David Nash © David Nash, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image © Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre; Telecom, 2005, Humphrey Ocean © Humphrey Ocean, All rights reserved, DACS 2015, Photo Mike Bruce; Wind Sculpture 1, 2013 (Installation view, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, 2013), Yinka Shonibare MBE © Yinka Shonibare MBE, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery, London and James Cohan Gallery, New York/Shanghai, Commissioned by Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, UK; Page 16 Ecology, Air, Earth, Fire, Water, 1969-70, Joe Tilson © Joe Tilson, All Rights Reserved, DACS 2015, Image © Waddington Custot Galleries, Photo Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd.