Royal Academy Partners with Infiniti

London--June 5, 2014: The Royal Academy of Art’s world-renowned Summer Exhibition opened its doors last night with a star-studded preview party put on by the Royal Academy (RA) in partnership with Infiniti.

A cultural highlight of the capital for almost 246 years, the RA’s Summer Exhibition is the world’s largest open-submission contemporary art exhibition in the world. Just as famous is its glamorous preview party, which attracts artists, art lovers and celebrities all keen to have first sight of the exhibits, most of which are for sale.

Last night’s party at the RA’s galleries in Burlington House on Piccadilly, just a few doors along from Infiniti’s London showroom, was enjoyed by celebrities from across the spectrum, confirming its long-established billing as the party that kicks off London’s social summer season.

VIP guests, chauffeured to and from Piccadilly in a fleet of luxury Infiniti saloons, included David Bailey, Nick Grimshaw, Simon, Yasmin and Amber Le Bon, Liberty Ross, Joely Richardson, Alexa Chung and Sam Smith.

As the Champagne flowed, many of the art world’s most influential experts viewed the 1000 exhibits – selected from a short-list of 4000 – comprising sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, video and installation art. All the works on show have been newly completed for the exhibition and are just as likely to be by emerging artists as contemporary art’s biggest names. Held annually since 1979, the Summer Exhibition is where artists such as Gainsborough, Constable and Turner first showed their work.

Infiniti’s Regional Director Steve Oliver said: “The Royal Academy relies entirely on corporate support and individual donations for its survival, and Infiniti is delighted to be its partner in such a significant event in the cultural life of the country.”

The Summer Exhibition is open to the public between 9 June and 17 August and continues to play a significant part in raising funds to finance the current students of the RA Schools, who pay no fees for the duration of their studies.