Post Private View
The week before my exhibition was so hectic I didn’t have a minute to relax. I was even working while eating, and by the day of the opening I was completely exhausted. I had done everything I could to promote my exhibition, apart from handing out flayers by hand. This was because I didn’t feel the cost and time would be worthwhile for the few people that it might appeal to. Instead I emailed e-flyers to every group, company, gallery, publication and other relevant person I could think of.
Unfortunately the turn out at the private view was only small, but I had expected that to be the case. Having been to other private views there, I didn’t expect a big turn out, and the major benefit of holding the exhibition there was because the venue was free.
I’m hoping that there will be a steady stream of visitors throughout the course of the exhibition, and I’m also planning another private view for next Friday.
I think that one of the biggest reasons for a small turn out is the location. The gallery is out of town and in an area full of old factories. It’s a really interesting place, but it doesn’t have any passing trade. This is why I didn’t feel that paying for flyers to be printed would be worthwhile. The only people that would come would be people who feel very driven to come and visit.
The actual hanging went well, and I am very happy with how the exhibition looks. There is a bit of a blank space at one end of the gallery, but considering the huge space I had to fill, I think I just about got away with it.
I’ve had lots of interest online, and I do feel that the exhibition will achieve some success. One of the things I have benefited from is the opportunity to get my work up, and photograph it in a white wall environment. We will have to wait and see if anything else comes from it, but I am hoping to use these photographs to further promote my practice, and hopefully secure more exhibitions.
Getting ready for this exhibition has meant going down to the studio again. I haven’t spent much time there over the winter due to the lack of heating. The freezing cold studio is extremely unsuitable for my needs, as I sit very still painting for hours on end. Being in the studio again has reminded me of all the issues I have with it, from locks not working properly (I was temporarily locked in on Friday night until I finally managed to unlock the front gate, just as I was about to call someone for assistance), to the broken lights that have never been replaced. I’m trying to spend as much time as possible there, so that I can open up the gallery (there is no formal system in place to open up, and no opening hours for the gallery), but I found the experience of being there on my own over the weekend a little intimidating and I couldn’t wait to leave each day. I think that my time at that studio has come to an end, and I don’t really see any benefit of staying there. I think that realising I’ve outgrown my studio is all part of my development as a practicing artist.
The next private view will be Friday 11th, 7 – 9pm at Gage Gallery, Lion Works, 40 Ball Street, Sheffield
