The experience of positioning, hanging and viewing the work in the gallery space has been invaluable. It was for me as if I hadn’t really seen the paintings before clearly. The colour relationship altered with each move. The changing light, flooding in through the glass wall worked intriguing ambiguities within the layers of pigment and glaze. I can now see the connections and ideas emerging in a way that I could not before.
Questions are often raised in the studio about how the viewer will see the work, what we may want them to gain from the experience and what we want the work to be ‘doing’. We talk amongst ourselves using our shared language and wonder if these questions are really related to what we do in our process, ‘don’t I just do this for myself, isn’t this my studio practice, it doesn’t really matter what other people make of it all?’
It was fantastic at my private view last night for me to hear people talk about the paintings and to see them engaging with the work. I had imagined that it was only me that had a meaningful relationship with the work and that this would be what the viewer would witness. It was unexpectedly thrilling to discover that this is not an exclusive relationship at all, but one that is it is open and accessible.
Photographs to follow.
Paintings are bubble wrapped.
Tool kit bag is packed.
Printed sheets prepared.
Norden Farm Gallery tomorrow
Silence outside, no cars, everyone inside watching the World Cup. I have been in the garden today, photographing paintings when, the sun goes in and fixing Ryman hangers to the stretcher frames.
The process of organising the exhibition is a huge learning experience. The painting time has finished and now it’s into a different mind set as I think about selecting and positioning,and looking at the work trying to see it as a viewer. I would really just like to go back into the studio with fresh canvases and get working. This is the part I have been dreading to be honest. Other peoples private views are much more fun. I am anticipating though, that this challenge will provide me with the opportunity of seeing, and engaging with the work in a different way. I have only been able to see three canvases together at one time, in our seminar space. It will be interesting to see what happens in the gallery.
Bucks New Uni Fine Art Degree show is open and it has been inspiring to see how the graduating students, staff and technicians have transformed the studio into a contemporary gallery space and the effect this new environment has had on viewing the work.
‘EXPLICIT‘ FIne Art Degree show at Bucks New Uni OPEN, 10am- 4pm, Mon 14th- Thurs 17th June.
Painting after my assessment feedback seems more focussed. The procedure is very intense, you, the tutors and the work, and some honesty. The ‘student led’ style of tutoring is great at drawing out your ideas and intentions, but the assessments deliver critical opinion, which I find helpful.
Working in the shed is like camping in a compact tent (complete with rain). Most of the paintings are bubble wrapped and stacked to one side. Essential equipment within reach.
I am thinking about the movements between the paintings.
Sure, steady decisions required.
