Connect to Art and change in Northern Ireland

CHECK MY RUA MATHS AM I RIGHT ?

RUA non returnable fee for 2 works is £30. 10% are shown. so for every artwork shown, RUA get £300

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by James Mercer on June 11, 2012 at 18:12

Hi Stephen obvevosly my comment has been taken too seriously, i am being jovial. I couldn't possible take anything serious from the political driven part of the world we live in and of course they are not gods mere humans. Strangly i just recieved an email from the RUA to apply to this years competition and yes i will contribute to the RUA funds this year. Jim

Stephen Shaw said:

I wouldnt read too much into that, James. I've done all right myself last few years, but they never never post stuff out to me. I just go into the mixer like everyone else. There's too much credence put on all this. Its only a group Show / Competition. Either enter or don't. No one is forcing anybody. They are not Gods.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James Mercer on June 13, 2012 at 15:50

Indirectly it does go into some ones pocket. The organisation but how wisely they use it is something else, but they are not lottery or council backed so we will never know.

Stephen Shaw said:

It obviously costs a hell of a lot to get the brochures and invites etc photographed, designed, printed and posted. The venue needs hired and artworks need transported and hung. Potato Bred are not a voluntary body? They hand out LOTS of wine at the Openings. They also hand out very generous awards (some sponsored - OK). So £15 a piece does not really go that far? Some other competions and selected Exhibitions charge a lot more. So what if there's a bit left in the pot? Its still going to an Arts Organisation - not into someones pocket.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bronagh Lawson on October 20, 2012 at 9:47

what does very one think of the RUA exhibition this year .?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by connor maguire on October 20, 2012 at 18:59

haven't attended it yet but will be doing so.im only seeing this post also which has seemed to have drawn up a bit of controversy which the RUA always does.

I left work up this year also as have done for the many years and seen some of the bigger pieces and got a quick glimpse of some paintings and seen some woppers.looked awesome so hope the ones i seen get in.

I actually forgot the submission date.lol:)couldnt believe it.about 6 weeks painting a piece and making a nice frame and bam.i get the wrong day.what a dick.felt sick in the stomach but laughing about it now.i was a week late in bringing my painting up after i emailed and was told i could bring it up and chance it.i didnt get in:)But they were very nice and understanding

anyway i'll just throw my 5ps worth in.im pretty friendly with a lot of practicing artists/gallery owners and everyone i speak to seems to have the same opinion regarding submissions from upcoming and practicing artists. The RUA members get to submit 3 paintings just like us .they also get to exhibit them regardless of what size their paintings are even though conditions applied to the common artist are to make them small and compact as you may not get in due to space.

i particularly remember the RUA exhibition in the old northern bank building in belfast where space is small in comparison to the ulster museum.Entering the exhibition i seen 2 paintings side by side and they stretched approx 1.5mx1/1.5mx1.5m by one academy member whom i know.he also had another similar size in another part of the building.i mentioned it to him and we laughed about it.fair play.if i were a member i wouldn't be droning on like i am now.(The RUA are b******* when i dont get in but when i do get in ,i love them .lol:)

also i submitted a print in year 2010 and didnt get in.Talking to the president of the UWS at the time he was wondering why it didnt get in.So the next year when submission time came round i thought.feck it.i'll just try this for the laugh and submitted it.I got into the RUA last year 2011 where the previous year i didnt with the exact same print/same frame just different edition number?????????why??

Basically all i am saying is a majority of the RUA members are all known or established themselves as serious artists or contenders in the art world in northern ireland/Ireland/Mainland Britain and international status.

The RUA exhibition whether you hate it or love it is the biggest show of the year in the north Why cant the RUA members just submit one work to a scale that that suits or one large and two small.

All the galleries and artists I talk to have specifically stated and asked the same question.why dont they submit one piece or come to a conclusion where 3 small works are submitted.

Move over and let other upcoming artists have a better chance of entering.people want to see new work by new artists and not the same stuff.everyone knows who you are so why not create a gap in space available and increase those percentages and the increase the number of artists who apply exhibit.IM pretty sure the RUA would get a lot more appreciation and respect.Also ive no probs with £15 per submission.A lot of organization ,time etc.thumbs up everytime i believe

sorry for droning on and hope it doesnt piss anyone off.not my intention .thats why i want in it every year.

im away for a beer:)

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bronagh Lawson on October 21, 2012 at 17:21

Connor,

Thanks for your reply very informative.I do think its difficult to show a true cross section of all artistic pratice in one show in particular when it's very much up to those selecting. Maybe they need the adjacent gallery as well with the cinema space which has Willie Dohertys piece in it for digital submissions?Or maybe the lack of space is one of it's strenghts? Noticed lot's of photography this year.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by connor maguire on October 21, 2012 at 18:12

Cheers Bronagh

maybe over did it in the informative side of things:)oops.just thought id question the fact about RUA members submitting 3 pieces regardless of size.yeah i wouldnt want to be on the selection panel.a real toughie.

anyway bronagh,i'll not go off on one again .great website.keep up the good work.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Susan Mckeever on October 29, 2012 at 21:36

The RUA show looks amazing this year. Something for everybody in there. I am wondering how many times an artist can enter this show in the one year? Yes I know it says three pieces of work on the application form, but can an artist enter more works under another name for example? Could an artist technically enter lets say 12 artworks under four different names? Would cost a fortune of course, but you hear rumours of some people doing it.