Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Academy was founded by Ellen Sharples with early benefactors that include Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Prince Albert.

What to see at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The RWA is housed inside a Grade II*-listed building that was opened in 1858. Its interior is lit by natural light from large skylights and it is noted for a replica of the Parthenon Frieze.

It has five galleries with a permanent collection that is comprised of over 1,700 works of art including works by prominent British artists including artists from the Bloomsbury, Newlyn and St Ives schools. The gallery focuses on both traditional and contemporary British art.

Temporary exhibitions at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Academy also hosts a programme of temporary exhibitions. Current and planned exhibitions include:

Windrush: Portraits of a Pioneering Generation
This exhibition (until 11 August 2024) arrives in Bristol for the first time this summer at the RWA, following showings in Edinburgh and London. It celebrates the accomplishments and legacy of the Windrush Generation, featuring ten portraits of notable Caribbean-British individuals by prominent artists like Sonia Boyce MBE and Amy Sherald. Commissioned by His Majesty King Charles III to mark the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival, it highlights personal resilience and the impact of diversity in Britain. £20.

Rasheed Araeen: Conscious Forms
As part of a series of exhibitions featuring immigrant artists, this exhibition (until 11 August 2024) introduces the pioneering work of Rasheed Araeen to Bristol for the first time. Araeen’s vibrant, abstract sculptures will be showcased in the RWA’s naturally lit galleries, inviting visitors to engage with and rearrange colourful cubes around a central Reading Room installation. Complementing these sculptures are figurative paintings and collages spanning from the 1950s to the present, reflecting Araeen’s bold perspectives on British identity, belonging and migration. £20.

Valda Jackson: Miss Polly
This exhibition (until 11 August 2024) presents an installation by writer and artist Valda Jackson MBE RWA, exploring neurological research and the concept of the unfinished brain. Through spoken word, text, sculpture and painting, Jackson delves into the idea of humans being born incomplete, developing critical neural circuitry post-birth. Influenced by the experiences of Generation Windrush, her work reflects on the complexities of this historical context, coinciding with the Windrush 75 celebrations and James Baldwin’s centenary. £20.

Academy
This exhibition (until 1 September 2024) celebrates The Royal West of England’s building and its role since its founding in 1844 by Ellen Sharples. Opened in 1858 as Bristol’s first art gallery, it became a Royal Academy in 1913 and achieved museum status in 2011. The display includes pieces from the RWA collection, historical records and recent renovations.

A Home for Art
This exhibition (until 29 September 2024) traces the RWA’s development since its foundation in 1858, uncovering secrets and highlighting the stories of refugee artists who have exhibited there since the 1940s, such as Stanislaw Frenkiel and Chien-Ying Chang.

Visiting the Royal West of England Academy (RWA)

The Royal West of England Academy (RWA) is located around midway between Clifton and the city centre. It is close to the University of Bristol and there are several interesting sights nearby interest including the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, which is only a four-minute walk away.

Admission to the permanent gallery is free of charge, however, there is a fee to visit many of the temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are half price with the National Art Pass.

The RWA has its own on-site cafe, however, the gallery’s location near the university ensures that there are plenty of other places to eat and drink nearby. The gallery also has an excellent gift shop.

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