‘I don’t know if I like it’: artist finally shown at Royal Academy after 31 attempts

Alison Aye's work will be seen alongside 481 other new exhibitors at the Summer Exhibition

Artist Alison Aye had a surprising reaction to being accepted for this year's Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy. Founded in 1769, it's the world's oldest open submission show - a chance for hobbyist painters to hang next to Turner prize-winners and artists such as Tracey Emin and David Hockney, with everything for sale.

The 58-year-old textile and collage artist, who is based in London, has submitted work to the Royal Academy (RA) every year for the last 31 years, and always been rejected. But when, this year, she found out she had finally succeeded, she felt conflicted. It's the establishment acknowledging me and I don't know if I like it," she said. There's a part of me that thinks being on the losing side is all right."