As we only had a week it would not be possible for an independent reviewer to get anything in the press in time. I suppose if we could find a writer willing to write about it we could put it on social media and that would be very welcome, If anyone would volunteer to do that next time please get in touch.
So,despite my bias to liking my own group’s show, I thought I would write something.
It’s rather a mystery why some work sells better but it seems naturalistic scenes well observed and carried out with panache are again the most popular - Sharon Reeves and Clare Hughes being cited. This time Sharon sold 3 paintings off the wall of sand dunes and their grasses.
However, to quote Schnabel, ‘ You make the paintings not to sell them. You make the paintings to see them.’
So the more abstract- Pat Wilson Smith, Tracy Flett, were as usual less commercial although all the artists have people who appreciate them and often can only afford cards.
There were interesting and unusual ceramics by myself and Pat.
Then Caroline Marwood had very unusual experimental works combining photos and collaged elements and digital designs based on local observations of landscape.
Kate Cameron had expressionist verve in her intensely coloured works, some set in Spain.
Kerry Grant showed delicate close ups of observed nature in watercolour and other media, emphasising pattern and design.
I had a mix as usual of some more expressionist observations or memories of musicians and some political more conceptual items.
So a good wide range of approaches and you would think something for everyone but there is a limited number of visitors to the show able to buy anything large.
Maybe a campaign could begin to encourage folk to decorate their walls with original art.
I hear some strange people have blank walks and others buy reproductions that attract them and have the seal of being approved by history or by marketing managers.
Artists other than the Big Names do not make much profit and really love to get their pictures out into the world.
Personally I fear when I die my family will throw it all away.
Incidentally Yoko Ono had a show called ‘Big Names’ which consisted of just that - huge names of celebrated artists being carried into a gallery.
Please come and see our next shows in 2024 - to be arranged- and please bring your cash or
credit card - the small purchases not only add up but are very encouraging.
We have all sold more paintings than Van Gogh did in his lifetime- he sold ONE - which seems very odd when his brother was an art dealer. If it had not been for his sister- in -law after the brother died, those works might have sunk without trace.
At least ours are on the internet and Taking Space have a website to Google.
