The reason I didn’t go to the Liverpool art Prize PV on Thursday, was that I thought –‘ oh it’ll be packed and I won’t be able to see the work’. This is of course, the absolutely and totally wrong attitude, as PVs aren’t for looking at work. Duh – what was I thinking?
So I went yesterday on my break instead …. 5 mins walk from work. That’s the good thing about them deciding to move the Art Prize from Metal – Edge Hill station building, to a more central location. Although Metal is an amazing and far superior space, the Albert dock location is just more accessible.
Having said that…..I went around 3pm, hardly late in the day, and there was just me and another person looking round. This made the two volunteers very keen to chat. I learnt a lot from them… like that ‘ one of the short listed artists was a total surprise as she never goes to Private Views or hardly exhibits or anything, so no one knew her.’ Really? Then why is she there then?
The novelty of us all sussing out that ALL of the shortlisted artists in the Art Prize History, has a connection with The Bluecoat, has long worn off. But hey – they still put on a good show!
I only knew two of the four artists and that was because I have worked with them. Obviously I don’t network enough to know the other two.
The stamp on my hand in the photo means that I like to put things in order (work by Laurence Payot) I could have chosen any of the four options but I thought this one suited me more. This is probably the reason I found the exhibition a little hard to follow. I don’t mean the work – just the layout. It is difficult to put four disparate artists in a relatively small space and expect the exhibition to flow, but there must have been a better way of doing this. I actually had to ask where Payot’s work was, which seems crazy as it’s a massive banner right in the doorway. For some reason, I assumed this was just a publicity banner for the exhibition.
I think I should go back for another viewing now that I know a little more. Although there’s some great work in there, I’m putting my money on the ‘outsider’ winning . That’s my ordered, but cynical mind talking.
http://liverpoolartprize.com/ until 8 June
