The 2007 ING Discerning Eye Exhibition, opened by selector Charles Saumarez Smith at a private view on 13 November, looked better than ever in the re-designed and enlarged space at its annual venue in The Mall.

All of the 2007 selectors (Artists Sarah Armstrong-Jones and Jennifer McRae, Critics Charles Saumarez Smith and Drusilla Beyfus and Collectors Dame Stephanie Shirley and Davina McCall) obviously enjoyed the task - described as "unexpectedly testing" by Charles Saumarez Smith - of putting together their selection of works.

All were indebted to the 83 artists they had invited to take part and were unanimous in their appreciation of works entered through the open submission process.

This year not only saw a record number of entries to the open submission, but also saw a record percentage of total exhibited work come from that source. Although selectors are guided to choose at least 25% of their section from the open submissions, the 2007 selectors found plenty which appealed.

Just over 50% of the 530 works on display were from the open submission, critic Drusilla Beyfus commenting "I found a lot of work that I had no difficulty in choosing at all. I felt very satisfied at the end of the selection days".

This gave almost 250 artists the opportunity to show alongside established names and, as the exhibition's strap line goes, connected 'new artists with new audiences'.

 

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