ANNUAL EXHIBITION 2025
020 7968 0966 | artsales@mallgalleries.com | www.mallgalleries.org.uk
President’s Foreword
A warm welcome to Mall Galleries for the 138th Annual Exhibition of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters. This has always been the highlight of our year, where we showcase paintings from our members, alongside works from non-members. As you step into the gallery, just know, that you are going to enjoy some of the best works in oil… it’s going to be a treat!
We are delighted this year, that Mark Cass of Cass Art has kindly agreed to open our exhibition and present various prizes. Mark Cass has been a champion in supporting artists and providing a platform for them to develop themselves professionally. They now run The Cass Art Prize which is becoming great with national acclaim.
We had sixteen ROI member selectors at peak, who had the arduous task of selecting works from so many lovely paintings. For an artist to get in automatically they needed to receive at least twelve votes out of those sixteen. So, if you are reading this and your work found its way in, it just means you are doing something right and you are possibly among the best artists using the oil medium today. Congratulations to you all!
The mini theme of our Exhibition this year is simply entitled “HOME”. There is a dedicated space in the West Gallery where the works on this theme will be displayed, so be on the lookout to see the diverse ways in which this theme has been interpreted by different artists. “There is no place like home”, they say, so this one is sure to warm your hearts.
We are pleased to have a few new awards this year, namely the Lady of the Chateau Award, for a work that reveals the world through a luminous, deeply personal lens for a place in their immersive painting workshops at Chateau de Puy Vidal in southwest France and the Fred Beckett Memorial Artist Award, which is a crystal trophy in honour of our former President Fred Beckett (1933–2025); the winner will receive a smaller replica of the trophy to keep.
In 2025, we are deeply saddened by the deaths of Ruth Pilkington Hon Sen ROI, John McCombs ROI, Brian Ryder ROI, Fred Beckett ROI and Pat Syrett Hon ROI. We loved them so dearly and their departure only opens great shoes for the upcoming painters to fill.
Just before this show, some members of the ROI had a lovely out of town exhibition at Gallery Holt, it was a great success, and we hope to continue to have such exhibitions in the future.
This year the ROI exhibition would have the highest number of members running demos at different points during the show, so please make sure you are on the lookout for the schedule of activities.
The works this year, as of every other year are of a very high standard, so if you decide to add one or two to your collection, you know you are collecting some of the very best works from the best painters working in oil in the UK and in the world.
Finally, the ROI would like to thank all the staff of the Mall Galleries for their invaluable help, both in putting up the exhibition and throughout the year.
Adebanji Alade President
www.theroi.co.uk
The Royal Institute of Oil Painters is a registered charity number 327615
©
Mark Sepple
Events during the Exhibition
Painting Demonstration by Sarah Spackman
Thursday 27 November, 10am to 12 noon
Sarah Spackman will paint live in the gallery.
Book Launch with Naomi Alexander Thursday 27 November, 3pm to 5pm
Join Naomi Alexander for the launch of her illustrated memoir, A Chicken Full of Jewels: Domesticity in Turmoil
The book, written and illustrated by the artist, is a cautionary tale of domestic violence, detailing her abusive marriage alongside impactful, yet light hearted, imagery. Designed to raise awareness of the signs of such relationships whilst educating readers on coping mechanisms, the book is as emotional as it is important.
Guided Tour by Peter Graham Friday 28 November, 12 noon to 1pm
Peter Graham will lead a guided tour of the ROI Annual Exhibition, taking a closer look at some of the finest oil paintings produced in the UK and around the world.
Portfolio Reviews with Natalia Avdeeva Tuesday 2 December, 11am to 1pm
Natalia Avdeeva will be offering one-toone portfolio reviews and professional artistic advice.
Painting Demonstration by Roger Dellar Tuesday 2 December, 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Roger Dellar will paint live in the gallery.
ROI Art Event Evening
Tuesday 2 December, 6pm to 8.30pm
Paint alongside ROI members ‘after hours’ with portrait models, wine, and mince pies. The Art Event Evening Award, a prize of £150 worth of Winsor & Newton art materials, will be presented to the (nonmember) artist that produces the best painting on the night.
Tickets £12, or spectate for £10.
Painting Demonstration by Tom Marsh Wednesday 3 December, 11am to 1pm
Tom Marsh will paint live in the gallery.
Painting Demonstration by Karl Terry Wednesday 3 December, 2pm to 4pm
Karl Terry will paint live in the gallery.
Painting Demonstration by Max White Thursday 4 December, 11am to 4pm
Max White will paint live in the gallery.
ROI Paint Live 2025
Saturday 6 December, 10am to 5pm
Take part in the ROI’s annual Paint Live competition, a friendly and engaging event where you will have the day to create a painting within a half mile of Mall Galleries.
Tickets £18, £13 for Friends of the ROI.
Painting Demonstration by Rob Pointon Monday 8 December, 11am to 4pm
Rob Pointon will paint live in the gallery, focusing on wide angle perspective games.
For more information about these events visit www.mallgalleries.org.uk
Portrait Demonstration by Stewart Beckett Wednesday 10 December, 2pm to 4pm
Stewart Beckett will paint a portrait in the gallery.
Painting Demonstration by Lucy Marks Friday 12 December, 2pm to 4pm
Lucy Marks will demonstrate painting ‘loose landscapes’ working from sketches and photos, live in the gallery.
Rob Pointon Downward Curve Oil on board
60 x 40 cm
£2,400
Prizes & Awards
NEW The Lady of the Chateau Award
For a work that reveals the world through a luminous, deeply personal lens — a place in our immersive painting workshops at Château de Puy Vidal in southwest France
NEW The Fred Beckett Memorial Artist Award
A crystal trophy in honour of former ROI President Fred Beckett (1933-2025) will be awarded; the winner will receive a smaller replica of the trophy to keep
The Roger Remington Award
£4,000 for an outstanding painting
The Peter Wileman Award
£500 for an imaginative work
The ROI Themed Painting Prize
£500 for the standout painting on the theme of ‘HOME’
The Stanley Grimm Prize
Two awards totalling £700 (first prize £400, second prize £300), to the painters whose works receive the most votes from visitors to the exhibition. The prize is sponsored by Mrs Martin Stanley, granddaughter of Stanley. Artists who have won the prize within the previous five years are ineligible.
2024: Ruth Fitton, Amy Powell
2023: Laura Arenson, Karen Popham
2022: Svetlana Semenova, Ollie Tuck
2021: Peter Wileman FROI RSMA, Nicholas
Verrall ROI RBA
2020: N/A
The Menena Joy Schwabe Memorial Award
An award of £250 for an outstanding oil painter
The ROI Emerging Artist Prize
A prize of £250 and the opportunity to spend a day with one of the Institute’s members, for an artist aged 30 or under
The Rosemary Brushes Award
For expressive brushwork, a voucher for £250 worth of Rosemary & Co Artist Brushes
The Small Painting Prize
An award of £250 for the best small painting on display (maximum dimension of 30.5 cm, excluding frame)
The Tony Merrick Memorial Prize
An award of £250 in memory of Tony Merrick ROI (1948-2018)
Winsor & Newton Non-member Award
£150 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials
Art Academy London Award
A prize of a term’s worth of life drawing classes (worth £125) for an outstanding emerging painter
The Artist Magazine Award
The winning artist will be featured in a forthcoming issue of The Artist magazine, print and digital editions
The Dry Red Press Award
The winning work will be published as a greetings card by Dry Red Press in their ‘Prize Winners’ range
Frank Herring Easel Award
An award of a versatile easel
The Le Clerc Fowle Medal
In memory of Anne Le Clerc Fowle, presented annually for an outstanding group of paintings
The Dartington Crystal Chalice
Presented to a member in recognition of outstanding service and contribution
Art Academy London Student Prize
An opportunity for a student at Art Academy London to have their work included in the ROI Annual Exhibition. Won by Sebastian Rowlands.
Sebastian Rowlands
Warning: Explicit Content (Rose)
Winner of the Art Academy London Student Prize 2025
Alongside these awards, the ROI will present a number of certificates of commendation to artists whose work is considered to be exceptional.
Winsor & Newton Young Artist Awards 2025 (for
artists aged 30 or under)
As part of our ongoing support of young artistic talent, Winsor & Newton and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters are proud to present the Young Artist Awards 2025.
The following categories are awarded to those who, in the opinion of the judges, have demonstrated both creativity and talent in their use of the Oil Colour Medium.
First Prize: Johnty Robinson
£1,000 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials
Second Prize: Alexis Guenier
£600 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials
Third Prize: Romer Kitching
£400 Winsor & Newton Fine Art Materials
Romer Kitching Our Staircase Oil on canvas 146 x 89 cm £3,200
Alexis Guenier The White Door, Thinking of Sargent Oil on linen canvas 46 x 55 cm £960
Johnty Robinson Bowl Full of Sprats Oil on linen 30 x 30 cm £745
Acknowledgements
Patron: Lady McAlpine
President: Adebanji Alade
Vice President: Haidee-Jo Summers
Hon Treasurer: Sue Scott
Membership Secretary: Sarah Manolescue
Hon Secretary: Luis Morris
Assistant Secretary: Maria Rose
Friends Officer: John Walsom
Education Officer: Natalia Avdeeva
Social Media Officer: Greg Mason
Website Officer: David Pilgrim
Hon Archivist: Ian Cryer
FBA Trustee: Luis Morris
Council
Linda Alexander
Andrew Farmer
Roger Ferrin
Lucy McKie
Rob Pointon
Hon Council Members
Tim Benson
Ian Cryer
Dennis Syrett
Peter Wileman
Paint Live Sponsors
Index of Members
Fellows of The Institute
Richard Baines
Tim Benson
Trevor Chamberlain
Ian Cryer
David Curtis
Dennis Syrett
Peter Wileman
Members
Adebanji Alade
Linda Alexander
Naomi Alexander
Michael John Ashcroft
Natalia Avdeeva
Frances Bell
Chris Bennett
Susan Bower
Peter Brown
William Carney
Amanda Coleman
Bill Dean
Roger Dellar
Andrew Farmer
Roger Ferrin
Ruth Fitton
Lachlan Goudie
Peter Graham
Valeriy Gridnev
Alice Hall
Julia Hawkins
Benjamin Hope
Clarissa James
Andrew King
Nia Mackeown
Sarah Manolescue
Tom Marsh
For more information about the ROI, its members and activities, as well as information about how to become a member, please see www.theroi.co.uk
Greg Mason
Lucy McKie
Luis Morris
Benjamin Mowll
David Pilgrim
Valérie Pirlot
Rob Pointon
Adam Ralston
Anna Redwood
Maria Rose
Sarah Spackman
John Sprakes
Tom Stevenson
Haidee-Jo Summers
Lotta Teale
Nicholas Verrall
John Walsom
Graham Webber
Honorary Senior Members
Christopher Keays
Brian Roxby
William Selby
Honorary Members
Anthony Eyton
Sue Scott
Associate Members
Stewart Beckett
Lizzie Black
Jeannie Kinsler
Lucy Marks
Steven P Smith
Karl Terry
Max White
In Memoriam
It is with sadness that we report the passing of the following members;
John McCombs Banks of the River Tame, Delph, Winter
Ruth Pilkington Child in a Summer Garden
Fred Beckett The Violin Maker
Brian Ryder Cows along the Marshes
Pat Syrett
Fred Beckett, John McCombs, Ruth Pilkington, Brian Ryder, and Pat Syrett.
Work by Members
Adebanji Alade Intimacy I Oil 25 x 20 cm £1,250
Linda Alexander Allotment Plums Oil on linen 28 x 36 cm £1,845
Naomi Alexander Getting Married Unhappily Oil 24 x 90 cm £5,500
Michael John Ashcroft City Lights, Piccadilly, London Oil 61 x 122 cm £6,500
Natalia Avdeeva Between Light and Laughter, Portobello Oil on canvas 20 x 20 cm £540
Stewart Beckett Lymington Light Oil 31 x 41 cm £1,100
Frances Bell Daphne Oil on panel 58 x 32 cm £NFS
Chris Bennett Sisters Oil on panel 35 x 45 cm £1,800
Tim Benson Self Portrait Oil on board 41 x 30 cm £2,000
Lizzie Black Across the Table Oil on canvas panel 45 x 35 cm £1,750
Susan Bower Toffee Apple Oil 36 x 36 cm £2,000
Amanda Coleman Cliffs at Trebarwith Strand Oil 18 x 24 cm £725
Peter Brown Studio Clutter Oil on canvas 64 x 51 cm £8,250
Trevor Chamberlain Late Afternoon Sun, Southwold Oil 41 x 51 cm £2,450
Ian Cryer Clan Line turning at Stewarts Lane Depot Oil on canvas 61 x 91 cm £5,750
David Curtis Midwinter Twilight, Misson Oil 35 x 46 cm £1,950
Roger Dellar Lunch in Bath Oil 30 x 40 cm £1,000
Bill Dean Cricket on the Village Green Oil 25 x 25 cm £550
Andrew Farmer Home Oil on panel 50 x 40 cm £1,800
Lachlan Goudie In the Studio Oil on board 79 x 124 cm £6,500
Roger Ferrin The Child In Us All Oil on board 41 x 57 cm £1,300
Ruth Fitton Hannah, Study Oil on panel 30 x 21 cm £1,400
Peter Graham Promenade des Amis, Saint-Tropez Oil on canvas 183 x 183 cm £25,000
Valeriy Gridnev Sitting Ballerina Oil on canvas 60 x 40 cm £9,950
Alice Hall London 2025 Oil 35 x 160 cm £4,300
Julia Hawkins Man, and his Dog Oil 40 x 50 cm £2,850
Benjamin Hope Still Life with Earthenware and Mirror Oil on panel 46 x 46 cm £2,300
Andrew King Cloud Shadows, Wells Harbour Oil on board 32 x 46 cm £1,150
Nia Mackeown Studio Sill with Bottles Oil on canvas 51 x 61 cm £1,795
Jeannie Kinsler Green Enamel Tray Oil on canvas 64 x 40 cm £1,800
Lucy Marks Last of the Summer Oil 30 x 40 cm £800
Gregory Mason Il Passaggio, Lucca Oil on panel 30 x 30 cm £950
Sarah Manolescue Blue Socks Oil on stretched Belgian linen 51 x 61 cm £2,200
Tom Marsh Brighton Pier Oil on board 41 x 20 cm £1,295
Lucy McKie Apples from Home Oil 30 x 49 cm £1,975
Luis Morris Colt Hill Bridge Oil on canvas 23 x 28 cm £650
David Pilgrim Grand Canal from the Accademia Bridge, Venice Oil on panel 31 x 41 cm £1,125
Valérie Pirlot Angoulême, End of Summer Oil on board 26 x 20 cm £510
Benjamin Mowll Dorsoduro, Venice Oil 24 x 30 cm £1,450
Adam Ralston Stockport Viaduct Oil on board 40 x 51 cm £1,450
Maria Rose Snow on the Moor Oil on board 23 x 30 cm £685
Rob Pointon Chimney Stack Oil on board 50 x 40 cm £1,950
Steven P Smith Childhood Memories Oil on canvas 100 x 100 cm £7,995
Sarah Spackman Late Summer Garden Oil on linen 60 x 75 cm £NFS
John Sprakes Northumberland Autumn Oil on canvas 51 x 51 cm £1,500
Tom Stevenson The Barle at Landacre Oil on canvas board 40 x 45 cm £995
Lotta Teale Sunlit Mediums Oil on stretched linen 30 x 35 cm £850
Karl Terry Not Far from Home Oil on board 30 x 50 cm £1,480
Haidee-Jo Summers Trifles and Treasures Oil 41 x 31 cm £1,795
Nicholas Verrall Spring in the Luberon Oil on canvas 71 x 96 cm £9,950
The works for sale in the ROI Annual Exhibition are available to buy through the Own Art scheme. Own Art interest free loans make it easy and affordable to buy original, high quality contemporary art and craft.
Representative 0% APR. Subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Graham Webber Frozen River Oil 26 x 31 cm £850
John Walsom Landscape with Oil Cans Oil 51 x 41 cm
£1,900
Max White The Turn Oil on canvas 61 x 76 cm £3,350
Peter Wileman Waking the Winter Sky Oil 100 x 100 cm £7,850
Silent auction for the Artists’ General Benevolent Institution (AGBI)
About the AGBI
Life as a professional artist can sometimes be a challenge. When artists are faced with health challenges financial circumstances can change quickly. That’s where the AGBI can help – the only registered charity dedicated to support professional visual artists and their dependents in need who live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and who cannot work or earn due to injury or illness. One of the oldest charities in the UK – founded in 1814 – it is as essential now as it has ever been.
A fundraising silent auction
The AGBI can only carry on its essential work thanks to donations and relies solely on voluntary contributions, which is why The Royal Institute of Oil Painters is organising this year a silent auction of eleven paintings from its members with all proceeds going to the charity. The paintings will be on display at the Mall during the ROI Annual Exhibition (27 November to 13 December 2025). You will find them on a wall near the reception desk.
How to bid
The auction will open on Wednesday 26 November and close on Tuesday 9 December at 1pm.
You can leave your bids at the Mall by placing a paper in the assigned box. (Ask for info at the reception desk).
Alternatively, you can bid online here: www.theroi.co.uk/agbi
Each painting will be sold to the highest bidder and the winners will be contacted on Wednesday 10 December.
Happy bidding!
Do you know any artists that could benefit from the grant?
There are many artists experiencing illness or injury who could benefit from AGBI’s help right now. Maybe it’s you or someone you know. Please pass on the word. The AGBI operates with openness and empathy for every individual circumstance and staff act in total confidentiality.
Donations
If you are able to, please make a donation. Any amount, no matter how big or small, can have a huge impact on an artist’s life. Please mention ‘ROI’ while making a donation.
For donation and referral
Contact: 020 3161 9183
admin@agbi.org.uk or Melissa@agbi.org.uk www.agbi.org.uk for more information and online donations
Lizzie Black Hot Chocolate Oil on canvas, 25 x 31 cm, 40 x 45 cm framed
Lucy Marks Portscatho Beach Oil on board, 23 x 30 cm, 34 x 41 cm framed
Max White Corfu Evening Oil on board, 18 x 24 cm, 32 x 38 cm framed
Natalia Avdeeva Morning Walk at St James’s Oil on canvas, 20 x 25 cm, 32 x 37 cm framed
Amanda Coleman Canal Boats and Passing Ducks Oil on board, 13 x 18 cm, 30 x 35 cm framed
Sarah Manolescue First Light on the Bay Oil on panel, 13 x 18 cm, 22 x 27 cm framed
Steven P Smith Lindt Bunny Oil on board, 20 x 16 cm, 30 x 26 cm framed
Stewart Beckett Time in the Rila Mountains Oil, 42 x 25 cm, 51 x 34 cm framed
Valérie Pirlot End of Summer, The Avon, Bath Oil on board, 20 x 25 cm, 33 x 38 cm framed
Roger Ferrin Woodland Walk Oil, 20 x 20 cm, 30 x 30 cm framed
Michael John Ashcroft
St Peters Square to Oxford Road, Manchester Oil on board, 18 x 23 cm, 36 x 41 cm framed
Become a Friend of the ROI
The friends of the ROI program will offer you the opportunity to keep up-to-date with the Institute via newsletters, painting days and ROI master classes held around the country. As a friend you will be supporting the society in its remit to encourage and promote the oil medium within the field of contemporary art. There is an annual subscription of £30.
For your subscription:
• You will receive the ROI Newsletter
• The chance to participate in regional workshops at a reduced rate
• Priority booking on all workshops
• Reduced rates for regional Masterclass sessions
• A chance to meet and work with members of the ROI
• Visit to Members’ studios
• Free admissions and catalogue to the ROI Annual Exhibition
Membership enquiries to: John Walsom ROI
Email: info@johnwalsom.co.uk
Sarah Manolescue Winter Roses, Last Light Oil on panel 26 x 20 cm £800
