This year, the RHA 185th Annual Exhibition will open to the public on 26 May and show until 9 August. Ireland’s largest and longest established open submission exhibition includes painting, sculpture, photography, print, drawing and architectural models by Academy Members, invited artists and artists selected through the open submission process.

Showing her work in Dublin for the first time, invited artist, Tracy Emin, who held the position of Eranda Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy Schools from 2011 – 1013 has said:

“I'm very fond of Dublin. I have always had really good times there. It's a romantic place, where people kiss in the streets. I feel honored to be showing at RHA.” Tracey Emin.

Mick O’Dea, RHA President adds:

“The RHA Annual open submission exhibition is the largest of its kind in Ireland and indeed one of the largest in Europe. All the works, with some exceptions in sculpture (due to scale), are physically looked at rather than assessed digitally. This method requires a lot of detailed planning and it is a credit to Ruth Carroll, RHA Exhibitions Curator and her team that we manage it every year.

The composition of the selection committee changes annually, although there is continuity, as the Officers and the President serve on the committee each year for the duration of their time in office. The selection committee is composed of full-time professional artists and architects. They are artist-curators rather than curators. Each have their place and there are many crossovers but in the case of the RHA Annual Exhibition, we have the former.

One of the most interesting things to any visitor is the diversity of the many entries in the exhibition and the opportunity is to see work by unknown and established artists side by side. The democracy at play here emphasizes the collegiate nature of the joint venture and with a one in ten chance of being accepted is a vindication of the quality of the work that makes it through.

Prize money of approximately €45,000 is available to artists and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our sponsors who contribute generously to ensure that visual artists receive the recognition and financial support for the difficult but fulfilling path that has chosen them. I would like to congratulate all the artists and architects exhibiting in this years show and I trust that it will continue to be as well supported by our public as it has been in previous years.” Mick O' Dea PRHA

With all gallery spaces dedicated to this exhibition, the RHA presents the visitor with a unique opportunity to view work by artists at every level of their career, from new talent to established artists, hanging side by side. 2014 saw a 28% increase in sales indicating that Ireland’s art investment market has clearly turned a corner and the RHA Annual exhibition is the perfect spotting ground for the aspiring and discerning collector.

This years exhibitors include, John Behan RHA, Liam Belton RHA, Robin Buick ARHA, Diana Copperwhite RHA, Gary Coyle RHA, David Crone RHA, Michael Cullen RHA, Remco De Fouw RHA, Joe Dunne RHA, James English RHA, Tracey Emin RA, Martin Gale RHA, Richard Gorman RHA, James Hanley RHA, Charles Harper RHA, Colin Harrison, Eithne Jordan RHA, Dragana Jurisic, Mary A Kellly, Nevan Lahart, Alice Maher RHA, Colin Martin RHA, Philip Moss, Janet Mullarney ARHA, Carolyn Mulholland RHA, Maeve McCarthy RHA, Stephen McKenna RHA, Sean McSweeney HRHA, Sinead Ni Maonaigh, John Noel Smith, Abigail O’Brien RHA, Eilis O’Connell RHA, Mick O’Dea PRHA, Mark O'Kelly, Geraldine O’Neill ARHA, Vivienne Roche RHA, Sonia Sheil, Amelia Stein RHA, Imogen Stuart RHA, Donald Teskey RHA, Charles Tyrrell, and Michael Warren RHA.

Admission is free and the exhibition is supported by a full colour catalogue costing € 20, available at reception.