Paula Lockett
Today the group has been setting up the exhibition, hanging paintings and placing sculptures. Initially I thought that where the items to be exhibited had been placed was where they were going to stay. It turned out that this was not the case and it was up for discussion. The paintings have been hung in thematic order, with consideration to colour, size and topic; allowing each piece to compliment rather than overshadow, due to size, colours etc. There are only a few sculptural pieces and these have either been placed on plinths or hung from the ceiling in the centre of the room. This has filled a space which otherwise would have felt like a bit of a void. Seeing our work exhibited in an uncluttered place, with consideration to lighting and presentation has given each piece the opportunity to be viewed clearly and at it’s full potential; as opposed to seeing it in the studio. Overall I think the curatorial part of this exhibition has gone smoothly and each piece of work has been displayed to its advantage.
From a personal point of view I had felt really nervous about presenting my work in the public arena and was very critical of what I had made. I was quite happy to have my sculptures hidden away in a corner and the piece that is to hang from the ceiling I made very small. I still feel a little uneasy about my pieces but believe that I have a much better understanding of how I work and how I view what I have created. I think that for our next exhibition I will allow my work to be bigger and not rein in my imagination in an attempt to make my work smaller or somehow less significant. I hope that by the end of this module I will have developed in confidence and have the ability to consider what my work needs to be displayed at its best, rather than wanting to make it smaller or tucked away out of site. As it happens my paper sculptures are slap bang in the middle of the room at the entrance and will be one of the first things that people see – gulp!
There is no more for us to do now, apart from name & number the pieces; and enjoy our opening evening.
