On Monday, I went to the AIR Paying artists consultation at Castlefield Gallery Manchester. I’m ashamed to say that I’d never been to the Castlefiled Gallery, but that’s not a reflection on what is on show – more to do with the fact that my days off are used making my own work. I arrived early so was able to take a sneaky look at the Nicola Ellis & Aura Satz exhibition. Well worth seeing.
The next person to arrive was Leo Fitzmaurice. I hadn’t seen him for ages. He used to be a freelance art educator at Tate before he hit the dizzy heights of fame. It was good to chat to him again (though I didn’t want to hear that money, funding and commissions had dried up!) If you win the Northern art Prize, surely you are highly sort after?
When sitting in the circle saying our names out loud, I suddenly realised – I know you ….and you…and you!! ( well – I felt like I knew them) Many a-n bloggers and people I followed on twitter but didn’t make the connection.
The presentation and interaction was quite intense and it made my head hurt with all of the information. Why hadn’t it occurred to me to apply for ACE funding for an exhibition? I had applied (and was successful) for the group exhibition in Stockholm last year, but never even thought about just myself. The amount of times I had struggled with transportation or even ideas I’d scaled down considerably because of costs…. Why why why?
It was well worth going to and great to put faces to those names I knew.
Back in work Tuesday, my head was still buzzing but thankfully it was deadly quiet. (being between exhibitions now) I was desk bound, so spent virtually all day writing up a statement. I’d had an email from ‘art in Liverpool ‘asking if I’d like to write a blog about my work ( after sending them a piece about the Chapel gallery for their listings) At first I thought ‘No’ I’d put my work up on the social networking sites and I didn’t want to be constantly out there. But then I had second thought…. what’s the point of exhibiting if no one sees the work? Is it a bit Crass to self promote?
Of to Warrington tonight to deliver my work for the Warrington Festival. Round trip of 60 miles. Of which, I will pay for the transport costs myself :-(
