I had my first meeting about the solo exhibition I was awarded from Margaret Harvey open last year. It went really well I think, but made me realise it’s not that far away and I need to get myself organised. I need to have a rough outlined proposal by 2nd March. This shouldn’t be a problem but always this part of decision making seems to be the hardest bit for me. All these possibilities! We discussed what my options are and they are pretty open. I am free to experiment, free to make new work, free to perform and free to work in the space for the duration of the exhibition. On one side this feels me with bubbly excitement, but on the reverse it feels a bit like I’m balancing on the side of a cliff without railings. Sometimes restrictions and rules can be quite a comfort. I want to use this opportunity to its full potential but this thinking creates even more pressure. I’m sure there will be a few episodes of waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat on the horizon.
One thing that is a huge relief this time is the extra support that I will be getting, a technician to help me make things and an experienced curator to give me advice. After the stress and worry that came from doing the Red Gate exhibition last year it was a massive relief to hear that although it’s mine to plan, I will have a team to help me do it. Phew!
So now my mind is on over drive, mulling over the possibilities of the space. My practice seems to be growing into many different areas and mediums, with many different lines of enquiry. This has meant that there is probably a danger of trying to do too much or to confuse the space. I think it is vital to be very thoughtful when I make my decisions about the area I am going to focus on. This will be a very good opportunity to contemplate my practice and really focus on what it is about and where it may lead from this point. I hope that like the Red Gate was, it will be an opportunity that sparks further movement in my exploration and greater understanding of how my work is developing.
