As someone whose life revolves around helping artists (as curator, former gallery owner, artist coach and much more), were there any pivotal moments in which you first recognized your passion towards the arts? I always knew I wanted my career to be in the arts. My early interest was art history – it was the only subject that really resonated with me. I enjoyed that it included both the visual and analytical. I’m happy to have arrived at coaching and curating. It’s been a great way to connect with contemporary artists.
In earlier years, you studied art history as well as curating. During such training, did you always envision your profession to become what it is today?
In the early days, I was led to believe that jobs in the arts were only found at museums and institutions. One of my first jobs was with the Royal Fine Art Commission. I was always interested in curating, but never pursued it. I had no idea my career would someday include it, nor did I have any idea I’d be supporting artists in the diverse way that I do today – through the website, coaching, my podcast, magazine, and social media.
How do you strive to make an impact on the art world with your platform The Curators Salon?
The Curator’s Salon originally started as a blog, and a podcast soon followed. It was a place for me to share conversations I was having with artists in the studio. I never had big ambitions for it – it was just my corner of the art world. And it continues as such.
I’m creating opportunities that are not typically available to early career artists, whether through online exhibitions, my Art Seen magazine publication, or artist Q&As. The platform provides opportunities for emerging artists to be featured and gives them a stepping stone to build their confidence and gain exposure as they build their careers.
Considering that creative expression often reflects our zeitgeist, how do you feel about some of the recurring themes showing up in contemporary art?
Artists have always explored their own place in the world and commented on it through their visual language and creative expression. Social media makes this more accessible to artists and everyone – following the news on any platform allows artists to respond almost in real time. It further exposes this commonality across generations of artists.
What kinds of qualities do you specifically look for in the artists that you showcase?
I look for consistency and commitment to their practice. I also look at how well an artist is able to communicate their ideas and intentions through both the visual form of the artwork, and the supporting text whether that be a website or a submission form.
But sometimes a work of art can just speak to me on an intuitive level and that can be enough!
What do you find most rewarding about the curation process?
For our open exhibitions, it’s always interesting to see where we can place pieces in conversation with each another, and how they work together. I am not an artist and curation is my creative practice. It’s the place I get to be both expressive and in alliance with artists.
What do you find most challenging?
Time! Curating shows always takes more time than I initially plan. I really have to look at every submission and fine tune to feel right about the exhibition or piece I’m presenting.
In terms of the submission and/or exhibition process, are there any areas of improvement that artists should be aware of?
My two tips for artists submitting are to tailor their bio and statement to the platform, i.e., a bio and statement for Art Seen should probably look different to one for a gallery show – it shows the artist cares about who they’re presenting to.
Additionally, when submitting a few pieces, a cohesive body of work is always best. Presenting a range of different styles to me, makes me think this artist hasn’t yet found their unique voice or style. It can feel like they are hedging, or at an experimental stage of their development.
Do you have future plans for The Curators Salon, or other projects, beyond what you are doing today?
In May 2021, we launched Art Seen – The Curator’s Salon magazine – to a global audience. It’s available now in print and digital format. At the time, museums were closed and we used Amazon as our distributor. It hit bestseller position in a number of categories. Future plans are to be consistent – our next edition comes out in November and builds on the success of the first, which allows artists to be seen and recognized. We also have two more online exhibitions scheduled for 2021 and perhaps once we’re fully clear of lockdown and COVID restrictions, we might consider a real life, physical exhibition or event – stay tuned!
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