“Due to an overwhelming response over the past two years, Art Friend Gallery are excited to be bringing back REJECTS to London in summer 2025.
An art exhibition celebrating artworks that have been rejected by the Royal Academy over the past years
The aim of REJECTS by Art Friend Gallery is to bring together artists who have been overlooked by the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition application process. We showcase diverse works from both established and emerging artists and provide an opportunity to celebrate the amazing responses to the RA theme; this year being ‘Dialogues’. When reviewing applications to REJECTS, we are always amazed at the level of talent and array of stunning pieces that get rejected by the RA. Lucky for us!”
Shona Bland, Gallery Founder
Now in its third year and previously featured in The Guardian and The Art Newspaper, REJECTS is back this July with a brand new line-up of artists and artworks that didn’t make it into the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Each year around 18,000 artists apply to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition but only about 1,500 make the cut, leaving a whole lot of talent that might otherwise go unseen.
Spanning painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, and mixed media, this unapologetically defiant exhibition champions brilliant works that were overlooked by the RA selection panel. Instead of fading into the background, these 'rejects' get the spotlight they deserve and Art Friend Gallery is here to celebrate them. You might just find an artist as talented as previous rejects such as Banksy, Eìdouard Manet and Rebecca Salter!
Housed in a bright, welcoming pop-up space in the heart of Stoke Newington, this year’s exhibition showcases a fresh line-up of emerging and established artists reclaiming their space on the summer art calendar. Expect a mix of bold statements, from bright, sarcastic embroidered text to eerily beautiful abandoned buildings, there is something for everyone.
Whether you're an art collector or art curious, Art Friend welcomes everyone to the gallery.
We also have another Summer Exhibition on downstairs of Art Friend artists artworks!
Private View: Thursday 3 July, 5–10pm
Join us for drinks, DJs, and a first look at this year’s REJECTS.