RCA2020 graduate exhibition to take place at Bargehouse – OXO Tower Wharf from 20 May

During their time as students at the Royal College of Art, the class of 2020 were unable to physically exhibit their work as a result of the pandemic. RCA2020 provides a space to celebrate the work of the 2020 cohort, showcasing their creations across two physical exhibitions at the iconic Bargehouse – OXO Tower Wharf.

RCA2020 Part One (20–22 May and 27–29 May) focuses on the School of Architecture and the School of Design and features works by alumni of the RCA's Architecture, Design Products, Fashion, Global Innovation Design, Innovative Design Engineering, Interior Design, Service Design and Textiles programmes.

RCA2020 Part Two (3–5 June and 10–12 June) showcases work from the School of Arts & Humanities and the School of Communication, featuring works from Animation, Contemporary Art Practice, Information Experience Design, Painting, Print and Visual Communication alumni.

The exhibitions offer an opportunity for graduates living and working abroad to exhibit through a series of screening programmes with particular curatorial attention paid to those who cannot join physically. Many works feature outputs with tangible public and social impact – while the Oxo Tower provides a fitting venue and location, with its links to British industrial history and role in inspiring new ideas on housing and design. Oxo Tower Wharf is owned and managed by Coin Street, a local social enterprise, who have transformed a derelict site into a welcoming place for people to live and work.

RCA2020 is not simply about putting art and design on display; the exhibition represents challenge to recapture the energy and enthusiasm of a degree show in a normal year. Graduates may have divergent motivations based on individual needs or by course discipline, and final degree shows always serve multiple outcomes. However, the RCA class of 2020 is united by the opportunity to see their time and creative work at the RCA internationally recognised.