ROI’s invites buyers to own “affordable” oil paintings: Celebrating the finest contemporary, figurative oil painting

Celebrating the finest contemporary

Buy an incredible and affordable oil painting by the UK’s best oil artists in time for Christmas 2023. Work available to buy online at https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/royal-institute-oil-painters-annual-exhibition-2023 –

–        Own a piece of art history – ‘The Garrison Town’ triptych by renowned female artist Sonia Lawson Hon ROI, RA, RWS, HonRWA (1934-2023) is available to buy for the first time –

The prestigious Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ (ROI) Annual Exhibition returns to Mall Galleries in London at the end of this month, with over 300 contemporary, figurative paintings by master oil painters from the UK and across the world (from both ROI members and non-members.)

The work to be shown from Wednesday 29^th November to Saturday 16^th December 2023, reflects this royal institute’s founding ambition to promote and exhibit work of the highest standard in oil paint and demonstrates the huge versatility of this historic medium.

Most of the work shown will be available to buy at the show and online at https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/royal-institute-oil-painters-annual-exhibition-2023 (from Monday 13^th November) and includes something for every taste and style, from impressionist landscapes and painterly portraits to photorealistic pieces and those with a whimsical, illustrative style. Work is affordable, with most ranging in price from £500 to £10,000, making the exhibition an essential pre-Christmas visit for those looking for an original, special and unique gift for loved ones.

With a tradition of showcasing both emerging and established artists, the ROI Annual Exhibition offers a unique platform for young, new talent. Amongst the exhibition’s prizes*, collectively worth over £7,000, are four which specifically recognise the work of artists under the age of 30, highlighting the most promising new oil painting talent, not only in the UK but across the globe.

ROI’s first black President brings a fresh breadth of approach to this year’s exhibition

This year’s ROI Annual Exhibition promises to offer viewers a captivating journey into the world of oil painting, featuring a surprising range of artistic approaches. The exhibition’s breadth of style has been a key deliverable for The Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ newly elected President and oil painter, Adebanji Alade (PROI), who took office in April this year, after serving as Vice President for five years.

President Alade brings a fresh perspective to the Annual Exhibition and the institute as a whole: “In the selection process for this year’s show we have placed a strong emphasis on breadth of artistic expression in oil, this has helped ensure the exhibition achieves a dynamic atmosphere. We wanted to see different artists, who don’t usually work in oil, take on the medium, and this has greatly expanded the range of approaches. This diversity is important and has given this year’s exhibition a particularly contemporary feel.”

‘Urban Life’ theme

The theme of this year’s Annual Exhibition is ‘Urban Life,’ although artists have been encouraged to explore a diverse range of subjects and styles. Many of the works to be shown that have drawn on this subject matter represent London specifically – both in terms of the capital’s well-known landmarks and its lesser known streets.

Spotlight on oil portraits

Another noteworthy highlight of this year’s exhibition is the inclusion of a significant number of exceptional oil portraits, a rarity for the Royal Institute of Oil Painters’ Annual Exhibition. Portraits to be shown also reflect the exhibition’s diverse range approaches to oil.

Own a Masterpiece: ‘The Garrison Town’ by Sonia Lawson Hon ROI, RA, RWS, HonRWA (1934-2023)

As part of this year’s ROI show, an incredible work, Triptych ‘The Garrison Town (8’x10’) by female, English contemporary artist Sonia Lawson, is to be exhibited and is available for sale. Created between 1981 and 1984, this stunning piece of art history provides a poignant view of garrison towns during the Second World War, as seen through the eyes of women.

Of the work, Zoe Congo, Sonia Lawson’s daughter said; “The sentinel figures on each side are rendered with a muted pallet as they bear silent witness to the activity of the main panel which features a female form in white sounding a drum; a splash of golden hair masking her face, while a girl in a spotted headscarf, red blouse and blue and yellow skirt stands with her back to the onlooker.

The Garrison Town is one readying for a call to arms, and women are the foundation of all: muse; nurse; lover; sweetheart; mother; comforter. The castle serves as a dark backdrop with a small flag fluttering, while a skull looms spectre-like, the leitmotif of war.” This is a unique opportunity to own your very own oil masterpiece, at a time when the art market is strong for important female artists. Triptych ‘The Garrison Town,’ by Sonia Lawson is available from https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/royal-institute-oil-painters-annual-exhibition-2023 and is £30,000.

The ROI Annual Exhibition will run from November 29th – December 16th, 2023 at Mall Galleries, The Mall, London, SW1.

The exhibition will also be previewed online at:

https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/whats-on/exhibitions/royal-institute-oil-painters-annual-exhibition-2023,from Monday 13^th November 2023, where work can be also bought. 

You might also like:Recently in Dubai, #Belém (PA) is confirmed as host for COP-30