Home: Exploring the ROI's 2025 Theme

The 2025 instalment of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters Annual Exhibition presents an exciting and varied display on the theme of 'HOME'. Artists from across the world have been invited to interpret the theme in different ways, with the ROI themed painting prize being awarded at the Private View.

Enjoy some of our highlights from the exhibition below, all of which look at the theme in a slightly different way. These works, plus other submissions to 'HOME', will be on display in the galleries from 27 November to 13 December 2025.

Kayoon Anderson, Table Scene in Blue

Kayoon Anderson, Table Scene in Blue

'This painting is an imagined domestic scene bringing together an old family photo of my mother as a new mum, with distant memories of my childhood in Korea. In this scene, I pictured someone caring for my mother in the postpartum period by cutting fruit for her, in the same way she did for me. I aimed to create a sense of intimacy and calm using the mixed perspectives found in medieval paintings, alongside the use of pattern in traditional Korean still-life paintings.'

View work online.

Lizzie Black AROI, Jane and Her Apples

Lizzie Black AROI, Jane and Her Apples

'I have been enchanted by Jane and her home. I asked if I could paint her after we had picked some wind fallen apples from her garden. Jane used to be a model so was happy to sit and meditate for a while. The light that illuminated her kitchen area caught my attention turning a mundane corner of the room into something full of life and interest. This is in contrast to the quiet dark figure sitting across the table with her apples.'

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Peter Graham ROI, Coming Home, Iona

Peter Graham ROI, Coming Home, Iona

'Painting on the island of Iona is for me like 'coming home'. My grandfather was part of the group who set up the 'Iona Community' in the 1930s, to address poverty and inequality. For those who make the trip to this unique island off the west coast of Scotland there is always a homecoming.'

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Isabelle Weir, Adventure Mouse

Isabelle Weir, Adventure Mouse

'In this work I return to the bedtime tales of my childhood, where my grandfather would conjure nightly adventures featuring Mouse, a curious character who went on adventures and caused gentle mischief around our home. He'd sneak crumbs from the kitchen, build nests in drawers, or hide socks from the laundry. Mouse's antics swiftly became a good coverup for the childhood mischief committed by me and my siblings. This light hearted play often fades into the background as the stresses of life overtake us but it is important to keep these magical characters alive as they can be vessels through which our imagination can continue to create and play. Now, I tell these same stories to my little nephews, taking on my grandfather's role, and we delight together in the small mishaps of everyday life knowing that Mouse probably had a hand in there somewhere.'

View work online.