On to the next topic for discussion, selecting work for exhibiting. There are quite a few things to think about and it does depend on where you are lucky enough to get an exhibit.
REMEMBER LESS IS MORE
The most important thing to bear in mind is the fact that unless the exhibition is called a retrospective the work should always be as new as possible. That is not to say that if you know that the area you are showing in, no one has previously seen your work then a small selection of older work can contextualise where you are now creatively. If the gallery owner is curating your exhibition I'm sure that they would find it useful to know dates of when things were produced. What you don't want is them selecting an entire body of work that is 10 years old.
If you are a regular exhibitor in a town, then the onus is well and truly upon you to ensure that gallery visitors aren't seeing the same thing in a different gallery up and down the High Street. It is better to show less and have new work on offer when you do. Another fact worth remembering, quite often people who visit galleries, will visit most galleries in a town as they are genuinely interested in art.
Another thing to consider is varying the scale and price range of the works you exhibit. Be mindful of the fact that there is a recession and there is a definite comfort zone of spending. That is not to say that you shouldn't ask the right money for your work. Just be aware. I would also recommend having at least one wow factor piece. This could be a large scale piece that you are particularly pleased with, just because people may not buy a very big image that's not to say that you shouldn't show one.
N.F.S - Not For Sale are a gallery owners least favourite 3 words. I do not like to have work in the gallery that isn't for sale. A word to the wise, think of a price that you could bear to be parted from it for. Then price it accordingly. Or just select another piece in it's place.
If the gallery that you are showing in has windows, these are your first point of sales. Whatever goes in the windows will help to entice people inside so give the images you use here some very careful consideration.
Group shows are such a great way of getting your work seen that it definitely will help your artistic journey on its way. Selecting work for these should really follow the same rules. Keep it as fresh and new as possible. Have business cards available with your website and contact details on. As a gallery owner I am constantly visiting shows and picking up cards. On quiet days I trawl through artists websites looking at their work. If I think their work might fit an exhibition I'm planning I contact them.
An overall comment would be adopt a certain amount of uniformity of framing. If you only have three images in a show it would look better if all three frames are the same style/colour. Unless the frame is an integral part of the work then it's uniqueness might be crucial.
Lastly, do not invite potential buyers to exhibitions of work that they have already seen. This is a rookie mistake, but you will definitely not win any fans by making them travel to exhibitions that for the most part they have previously seen.
I hope that this helps.
I am having an Open Exhibition at the end of the month and I am looking for people to contribute to it.
Get an application form from www.lartishegallery.com
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