Tips for Exhibiting Your Work

Tips for Exhibiting Your Work
Tips for Exhibiting Your Work

Art Show in New York City
Art Show in NYC
© Shiningcolors | Dreamstime.com

The decision of exhibiting one's work is something that is solely up to the artist and what suits them best. Some artists have a main aim to exhibit their work whenever possible and they enjoy the process. Some might like to concentrate on the work itself or are not very open to criticism or unexpected feedback, and thus should wait till the work is complete and till they are more comfortable letting go of their work and having people see it and comment on it.

Planning a solo exhibition makes the artist in charge of the process. One might be comfortable holding an annual open studio meeting for example, showing with a group of local photographers, or they might go after prestigious galleries and regularly apply to competitions. The process should be varied including short term and long term projects, challenges and decisions, and above all it should suit the artist and the way they see their work.

Promotional tools

A photographer can choose one or more of a variety of tools to promote their work. Those tools would include business cards that can be given to contacts, CDs, portfolios, postcards that can act as complimentary slips when sending out information or as reminders to clients and curators, and websites. All of these tools are beneficial to the artist either in reaching a wider audience, or keeping good track of their work.

promotional-tools

So how does a gallery work?

  • The curator

    The curator is mainly in charge of a gallery or exhibition. In general, a curator decides on a gallery concept and vision, select the participating artists, pick the art work that is to be displayed, and determine how the work will be arranged and shown to the public both in the exhibition space and in the art world.

    Pieces of art at a gallery are somewhat like a melody, and the curator is the one that makes sure that everyone sings along together and no one is off tune.

    The curator's job is both administrative and creative, and a professional curator is one that can balance their time to make sure each category gets the right share of attention all the while meeting the exhibition's deadline.

    Most curators also meet with each other and share pieces of work and give out artists' names and contact details if, let's say, they have a great piece of art that is not coherent with the current exhibition theme but that might be of great use or interest to other exhibitions.

    The photographer's job at this point is to realize that their work has been done and that it is now being transferred to a second party along the chain that will take it from there. It also helps if the photographer has ideas about presenting their work, to discuss them with the curator. This would build a better relationship between the photographer and the curator, and will also arm the photographer with curatorial skills and expertise time after time which can really come in handy if a photographer ever happens to throw their own exhibition, and act as a solo curator displaying their work.

  • The exhibitor

    The exhibitor's role kind of ends when their work is being received by the gallery staff. Although exhibitors tend to feel attached to their work and would want to make sure it is shown in the best way possible, that they are willing to work hard and dedicate their time to make sure their work gets the appropriate treatment and attention, it is very important that they note that while this is true for them it might not be the case for the gallery staff. The gallery staff's concern is to take it from there and do their job regarding handling the work and hanging it, besides their other daily tasks that would include keeping the exhibition's schedule on track and preparing for other simultaneous or future exhibitions as well, and much more. So the sooner the exhibitor gets this, the easier it'll be for everyone to work smoothly together and avoid clashes.

  • The gallery director

    The gallery director's main concern revolves around financing the exhibition, making sure that promotional campaigns and publicity be sponsored and well executed, making sure a gallery show opens on time, and working for the gallery's agenda for the whole year ahead. That said, you might not even see a gallery director at the premises, they might be off doing their work and building relationships and closing deals outside.

Conclusion

It is one thing to be a famous well known artist with a long track of exhibits and shows, and another to be a fresh one just getting started and trying to get a grip on how to get your work out there and be recognized among the art industry. What you need to keep in mind is that practice for one makes perfect, that you should be cooperative so that you get what you want, and that it is a wild world out there so you have got to be prepared and armed with confidence and determination so that you can reach your goals and get where you want to get with your photographic career.

It is worth noting that the more you try and the more you put yourself out there the easier it gets and the more experienced you will become in the field. This, my friends, was just an introduction to help you set out on your journey to exhibiting you art, hope you found it helpful and good luck to all.

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2 comments on “Tips for Exhibiting Your Work”

  1. Thank you for taking time out to explain this in detail,very few people like you still exist.watch out for my works,i'm a young african photographer ready and set to storm the art world.

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