I have forborne to comment on this year’s Summer Exhibition which has gradually been taking shape over the last few weeks, making its long progress through the selection to the hang to yesterday’s Non-members Varnishing Day. Today I was walked through the exhibition by Michael Craig-Martin, the co-ordinator (or Chief Hanger as he is sometimes still called) and have realised what an achievement it is, beginning with the multi-coloured staircase by Jim Lambie which transforms the experience of arrival. Each of the galleries is more clearly differentiated according to who hung it and Architecture is given its own fine space by being in the Large Weston Room. It feels more logical, as well as more exciting, partly due to the choice of bright yellow as wall colour for the Vestibule and brighter pink for Gallery 3.
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
This picture is wonderful. I had planned to visit this month but have had to postpone. I hope to make it later this summer.
I was interested in what you said about Dawkins having only recently come across the drawings. And astonished by the Jacobite connection.
Hope you can make it ! Charles
It is indeed a triumph. The best Summer Exhibition for years. I do hope that it gets the reviews it deserves. It is crammed with excellent works, by Richard Long, by Jasper Johns, not least by Christopher Le Brun. And the splendid Lambie staircase. But the real hero is the Michael Craig Martin Hang. His Colours, especially the Pink/Vermilion are wonderful, and somehow create space for the paintings so that, while having, I think, as many works as usual, it does not feel crowded or cramped. Many many congratulations.
Dear Mark, Glad you liked it ! Press comes today. Charles
We were watching the early stages of the staircase installation when we came to see the memorable Diebenkorn exhibition. The process reminded me of being a teenager on a school trip to Rome with my Stepney girls’ Catholic secondary school and having to go up the Scala Santa on my knees! Installing the staircase looked like very hard and focused work but the end product is clearly worth it.
Joan