UP AND COMERS

Recently I opened a show at Allan’s Walk for BRIT Tafe Visual Art students.
The room was chockas with teachers, family, friends and the artists.
They’d organised catering and a wine sponsor.
The work was nicely hung in the gallery and everyone had a great time. It was a cause for celebration.
More than 40 works were mounted in the space with most on the walls, some on the floor: photography, drawing, collage, sculpture, pencil sketches, etchings, oils, ceramics, metal and glass.
It was called Current, and I found the exhibition colourful, honest and sincere.
Not all the work was great, but some of it was heading
that way.
So much so that on the spot I gave two artists their own shows at my own art space.
As a curator you don’t always get that kind of opportunity in the city, and certainly artists don’t either.
Usually there’s much clawing, competing and  politicking involved in getting gallery space, no matter how big or small they are – the artist or the gallery.
Living in a regional city, I haven’t found that so much the case.
Most artists I’ve approached are surprised that anyone is even interested in their work, let alone give them an opportunity.
Which can be a two-edged sword – how do you get that kind of professional experience if the venues are limited?
And how does a curator deal with an artist if they don’t know what is expected from them?
Initiative is required. Which is the point of Current.
As part of their coursework, the students were required to mount a public exhibition from go to whoa to give them first-hand insight into what goes into putting on a show, from each angle.
From that of the curator: getting the space show-ready, putting out publicity, organising refreshments, sponsorship, hanging the show in the way that best serves the art – which can be difficult in a group context – coordinating said group, getting catalogues printed, meeting deadlines… (The list can be endless).
From that of the artist: getting work show-ready, titling/pricing each piece, sequencing multiple works, deciding on how best to hang it – as in arrange the work in the gallery space – coming up with artist statements, supplying publicity materials to the curator, documenting the work in the space – this checklist can be endless too.
It’s been said that art is just a series of decisions made by an artist – so is putting on an art exhibition!
Looking out at the faces in front of me that night I felt a sense of accomplishment from the students.
And a sense of pride from the community of people around them.
Some of the students were still grappling with the concept of being called an artist and having their work being received seriously.
Others had realised that art was their calling – that it wasn’t just a distraction or way to meet the cool kids. And that they’d better do something about it if they were going to make a career out of it.
Suffice it to say, undertaking this public exhibition was a great thing for these eight Bendigo art students.
And my advice is, if you can’t find anyone to show your work then create your own exhibition space – be it online, in your house, in your neighbourhood somewhere ... Then get the word out.
Don’t wait.
If you’re an artist it’s important for people to have a conversation with your audience, no matter how big or small.
Create your own opportunities. “If you build it they will come”.

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