A piece of art created by a member of staff from East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) is set to be displayed in one of the most prestigious galleries in the art world.
Jacob Weeks, who is the Programme Director for Art and Design at EKC Dover College, says it felt incredible and was a huge confidence boost to find out that his piece would be displayed at this year’s Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
Accepting up to 18,000 entries on a first-come, first-served basis, before shortlisting to 4,000, it is just 1,700 which are displayed in the final exhibition which is on throughout summer.
“It feels incredible to have my work exhibited at the Royal Academy, a place where some of the greatest artists across centuries have shown their work,” Jacob said.
“As an artist, you often face a lot of rejection, so resilience is key to keep going and applying for opportunities. Moments like this make it all worthwhile and have given me a huge confidence boost.”
The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition has been running since 1769 and is the oldest open submission exhibition in the world.
In recent years, it has showcased new works by Royal Academicians, Honorary Academicians, and renowned artists including David Hockney RA, Wolfgang Tillmans, Tracey Emin, Bruce Nauman, Wim Wenders, and Ed Ruscha.
“Having your work displayed alongside some of the most famous contemporary artists is a huge privilege and an opportunity that rarely comes around,” Jacob added.
“It’s a milestone that stays on your CV for life, and anyone working in the creative sector will have heard of the Royal Academy of Arts.
“Now I can say my work has been shown in that gallery, something very few artists can claim.”
The piece Jacob submitted is a photograph which was taken at Folkestone Harbour Arm during a late night walk in the snow.
Jacob explained: “As I wandered, I unexpectedly came across an empty chair placed in the middle of the harbour, with no obvious reason or explanation for its presence.
“It felt almost otherworldly, as if it had appeared out of nowhere. I quickly fired my flash to illuminate the scene, capturing the moment exactly as it was.
“There was something uniquely special and unrepeatable about the image, a spontaneous encounter that I could not have planned or recreated.
“It perfectly embodies the themes of presence and absence, and the feeling of being caught between worlds.
“I chose to submit this photograph because it marks a deeply personal and transformative time in my life. I had just moved to Folkestone, was preparing to become a parent, and found myself revisiting a recurring childhood nightmare.
“The image is part of Betwixt & Between, a body of work exploring uncertainty, memory and change. During solitary walks along the coast, I became drawn to eerie, in-between moments in the landscape.
“The work reflects how past experiences can resurface during periods of transition, and how emotions can quietly shape what we see and capture.”
Earlier this week, Jacob attended a Varnishing Day for the artists whose work is displayed in the exhibition. This is a long-standing tradition which marks the celebration of the summer exhibition.
“It was one of the most surreal events I have ever experienced, and I’m still on a high from it,” Jacob explained.
“When I first arrived, I was greeted with champagne. The first room I entered was filled with monochrome work, and I immediately thought my piece must be there. Then, there it was perfectly placed in the centre of the first wall you see in the exhibition.
“Looking around, I realised my work was in the same room as Tracey Emin and Cornelia Parker. It was incredible.”
Jacob also received a printed book featuring all the artworks on display.
He added: “Seeing my name in there was such an amazing feeling, a real mark of achievement. For the day, I truly felt like a celebrity.”
The summer exhibition opens on 17 June and runs until 17 August.
To find out more, click here.
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