Planning your artwork for exhibitions – or not?
Ever since my very first solo art exhibition back in 2012 I have been bitten by the bug – I love exhibiting my artwork and all that it brings. From the painting through to hanging my art and meeting up with both the gallery owners and the visitors, each exhibition brings a new adventure and this boosts my creative energy.
But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes before an art exhibition opens its doors? I get asked this question a lot, so I wanted to share my process with you as it is probably very different to what you have heard or expect.
Preparing for an art exhibition
Whenever you read an article from artists about how they prepare for an exhibition you are likely to learn that they…
1) Come up with a theme (if one hasn’t already been given)
2) Start the creative process with collecting inspiration and start sketching
3) Assess the exhibition space to gauge the sizes and number of pieces required
4) Create based on the theme, the inspiration collected and the space to fill
For many artists create based on a theme works perfectly, and I salute them.
For me, this just does not work. If I try to work to a theme and plan an exhibition based on the theme and the space, my creative flow is halted and I do not even know where to start.
Finding inspiration and connectedness
I can not have a goal in mind when creating. The creativity needs to flow through me without any constraints. I decide what surface to paint on and the size of the pieces and that can be based on what space I am creating for. Then I just start. In my mind, it is like turning on a tap. I start the creative process, usually by grabbing collage materials and just starting to stick things on the canvas. My process is very tactile, a little chaotic at times and often very messy. But that is what works for me.
It is like when a child comes rushing in to tell you about their day. There is excitement and a lot of information. But in that “rush of words” is that gem of information that they wanted to share and it lights up your day.
This is kind of what happens in my art when preparing for exhibitions. I let my feelings guide me to produce a baseline and as I pick through it, I find what is truly inspiring me for this particular exhibition.
Once I have this, I will create a number of pieces in a similar way, I will look at existing works of art I have and finish others that I feel would complement this body of work.
Throughout the entire painting process, I work based on my feelings and really pouring my soul onto the canvas. Experience has taught me that this is where my collectors and admirers find the connectedness within my art as well.
The practical side of a mixed media art exhibition
Once I have produced the pieces that I am considering taking, it is time to sit back and get a little more practical.
Paintings need to be finished and mounted ready for displaying on the gallery walls. At this point I may decide to change the focal point of a painting and make it smaller as I mount it.
Once I am happy with the framing I love to spend a little time arranging the pieces against a wall in my studio to really get a good feel of how the pieces work together… or not. There is a bit of time for last minutes tweaks if needed before getting everything wrapped and ready to go.
Then it is time for the logistics. I have been exhibiting for over 10 years and have become a bit of an expert at loading up the car. One wrong placement or knock and my feature piece could get damaged. Not a good look.
The fun really begins when we start hanging. To find a hanging where every piece can radiate its energy in the best way. Making sure everything from lighting to spacing is on point can feel a little daunting even after all this time. I will have a rough idea in my head of where I think each piece will hang but when I get to the space, things always change. Especially if I am exhibiting alongside other artists. I absolutely looove this part of the process but it can be really hard.
For me, exhibiting is about showcasing a journey and telling that story to the audience and like all good stories, it is developed as you walk the path.
So, next time you stroll through an art gallery, remember there's more to those brush strokes than meets the eye. It's a journey – messy, thrilling, and deeply personal. Regardless of the process each artist goes through to collate the work for an exhibition, each piece is a story, and, for me, each exhibition is a chapter in my artistic book.
Upcoming Exhibitions
You can find all my upcoming exhibitions here. Also be sure to take a look or follow me on Instagram for the latest updates. You can also sign up to my Newsletter to make sure you do not miss to be invited to my exhibitions.