175 years of the RCA

And now, to commemorate its 175^th anniversary in more traditional style, the RCA is holding an exhibition of work by staff and alumni from throughout its existence.

The Perfect Place to Grow: 175 Years of the Royal College of Art, will feature work from (deep breath…) Sir Edwyn Lutyens, Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, Ossie Clark, and more contemporary figures such as Sir James Dyson, Tord Boontje, Ron Arad and Graphic Thought Facility.

The show, co-curated by RCA rector Paul Thompson and Robert Upstone of the Fine Art Society, will be split into four main themes: Art and Industry, Public Purpose, Personal Expression and Political Expression.

Each of these sections will grapple with a particular conundrum or address an issue, so Art and Industry will look at the debate over design’s contribution to British industry, Public Purpose will examine the RCA’s role in transforming Britain’s health, transport and built environment, Political Expression will look at artists and designers whose work is aligned to a particular cause, and Personal Expression will look at the concept of fine art as an act of personal creative expression.

The Perfect Place to Go: 175 Years of the Royal College of Art, is at the RCA, Kensington Gore, London SW7, from 16 November-3 January 2013.

Source: Ron Arad Associates

Rover Chair, 1981, by Ron Arad

Source: John Pasche

Rolling Stones logo, by John Pasche, 1971

Source: Estate of the artist

Dany Bubbles, by Ian Dury, 1966