One of the more unexpected aspects of my job is that whenever a new RA is elected, I read the so-called Roll of Obligation which was written on 14th. December 1768, four days after the foundation of the RA, and requires the newly elected RA to obey a set of duties and obligations – ‘Laws, & Regulations…and other Laws, By Laws, or Regulations, either made, or hereafter to be made’. Although I have now read it many times, I still find it somewhat inscrutable, heavy with a sense of duty and responsibility which is not quite specified. Last night I read it out in honour of El Anatsui, the great Ghanaian/Nigerian artist who was elected as an Honorary RA two years ago:-
| Charles | Saumarez | Smith | 
Does the Roll of Obligation specify how quickly a newly elected Academician is required to offer his or her Diploma Work ? What will El Anatsui offer ?
I don’t think it’s a requirement of an Honorary. Charles
Sadly, Charles is right; Honoraries are under no obligation to give a Diploma work. But I wonder if for 2018 we might start a gentle campaign of smiling sweetly and asking nicely…
good idea, but if retrospective please don’t be rushing to get one from Marina Abramovic?