Standing proud and physically dominating the courtyard, the statue ‘Physical Energy’ was intended by the sculptor George Frederick Watts to represent the ongoing quest by men and women to seek new challenges, while they endlessly scan the horizon as they look to the future and new opportunities, described by Watts as ‘a symbol of that restless physical impulse to seek the still unachieved in the domain of material things’. The statue was first shown in the courtyard of the Royal Academy in 1904 and marked the start of a tradition of showing contemporary sculpture in the courtyard, which continues today. 

Watts (1807-1904) started his artistic career as a student in the Schools of the Royal Academy when he was 18 years old and the Schools continue to train the artists of the future, the quality and diversity of which is on show as students halfway through their three year course are given the opportunity to exhibit in the Sackler Galleries, while the Academy waits for its new spaces in the 250th Anniversary redevelopment. 

The variety of work includes Rachel Jones’ large vibrant oil paintings, Matilda Moors’ slightly sinister prints (digital of course), one of which visitors are invited to take home, Sam Keelan’s large digital photographic print which asks the view to consider why the subjects are never ‘in the mood’, and thought-provoking sculptures and installations in a variety of materials by Hamish Pearch, Daniel Burley, Debora Delmar, Ewan Macfarlane, Eva Gold, Charlie Vines and Frances Drayson.

The RA Schools, founded in 1769, only takes 17 students every year.  The quality of the work on show is exemplary as they follow Watt’s encouragement to ‘seek the still unachieved’.  These will be students to watch when they finish their course in 2019.