I was really pleased to have three new pieces of work from the Renewal Series accepted for this virtual exhibition by Tebbs Contemporary Art Gallery. A really interesting range of work was selected and considerately curated by Kirstie Tebbs.
The technology worked well and I enjoyed navigating my way around the entire exhibition. I was able to zoom in close to the pieces that most interested me and easily find out more information about both them and the artists involved.
I wasn't keen on Kirstie's decision to use black frames to "virtually frame" all of the works on display. Mine was certainly intended to be shown unframed on raw canvas however I can accept that she wanted some coherence in her overall online presentation. Online considerations are very different to those in a "real" gallery space.
Paintings are not made just to be seen online or in books and magazines. They are physical objects and ultimately should be viewed as such "in the flesh" just as plays are written to be performed paintings are made to be physically experienced and nothing can replace that.
However, with all of that said there are huge advantages to online exhibiting which is why it has continued to thrive post-pandemic. It cuts out all travel and transportation costs and can bring together physically with a lot less effort a wider range of artists and visitors in a way that is of little cost to the environment. .
Real or not I have found this to be a useful test bed for new work and in a confidence building way it has enabled me to step back and objectively view my work in a contemporary gallery space alongside other works. In addition it has been a useful networking opportunity in terms of discovering other contemporary landscape artists.
Finally It has really whet my appetite for showing work again. I'm looking forward to the physical experience of a real gallery next time though...
