Iraq Triptych at the Royal Academy

A drawing which depicts Tony and Cherie Blair naked on the steps of 10 Downing Street is the centrepiece of the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition. Artist and sculptor Michael Sandle, 71, conceived the three-panel picture as a protest against the war. He said he had not planned to submit any work, and had to scramble to meet the deadline after being overcome with anger at Mr Blair. Sandle's Iraq Triptych is hanging in Gallery V, and has been awarded the exhibition's Hugh Casson prize for drawing. The work, in charcoal and chalk, is based on medieval paintings of Adam and Eve being banished from the Garden of Eden. Side panels show Iraqi civilians being abused by British troops.