“My paintings are abstract to me, but I feel I can put almost anything in.” – Basil Beattie RA The British painter and printmaker chose ‘Never Before’ as his Diploma Work - the artwork he gave to the RA on his election as Royal Academician in 2006. The painting suggests a narrative of ascent with its stairs, but these lead nowhere, not even to the top of the canvas. You can see this artwork on display for free in ‘Explorations in Paint’ in our Collection Gallery. Basil Beattie RA, ‘Never Before’, 2001. Oil and wax on flax. 254 cm x 304.8 cm x 7.6 cm. © Basil Beattie RA. © Photo: Royal Academy of Arts, London. Photographer: John Hammond. #RoyalAcademy #RACollection