Monday, November 21, 2011

A new beginning





It seems apt to restart the blog right now. One million things have happened over the days since I have left posted.


In a tumultuous 48 hours, the studios where I and Core Gallery were housed were lost after negotiations with our Trustees and landlords broke down.
It was time to stop being bullied for us all but at the same time it was terribly traumatic. Since that point over the churning days that followed I also came to realise I wanted independance from the studio group Cor Blimey Arts but at the same time that also meant I shall lose my Core Gallery. Although I founded it and it was my brain child, my blood, my heart and it should have been my priviliege to take with me to pastures new, but, it was not my legal right.
' All anxiety stems from the fear that we'll lose what we have or the future wont be what we want. It seems rational to quell the fear by
winning those battles. But perhaps an equally effective, even preferable solution might be to lose them, decisively and
irreversibly- eliminating the sense of fearful struggle by eliminating the struggle altogether. '' Oliver Burkeman
It was hard to do that, harder than you can imagine. And this is going to be quite a shock for some people. But its time to move forward and tell people this.
Because all is not lost. Not at all. Because now I have the independance, skills and experience to do what I wish and the last year working with Annabel Tilley on DIY Educate I have found a new partnership with her. Annabel is passionate, astute, committed and clever. She makes me laugh and she is great at funding applications. Its a fantastic partnership. So we are going to start anew together in a new space and it actually feels rather fabulous.
DIY Educate continues with us. Genorousity and integrity and the will and desire to nurture artists continues with us.
Its been a incredible 2 years and I have learnt an incredible amount. I had the priviliege to work with amazing artists and curators. Some of which will be part of my future.
With special thanks to Annabel Tilley, Elizabeth Murton, Chantelle Purcell, Jack Hutchinson, Kate Murdoch, Charlotte Norwood, Lisa Snook, Jane Boyer, Becky Hunter, Michaela Nettell and as ever my mentor and Graham Crowley. Here is a potted version of all that I achieved with Core Gallery ( if anyone wants to give me a job- this is what I can do and this time I want to be paid for it! )
Founder , Gallery and Education Manager, Curator: Core Gallery 2009-11
Core Gallery founded by myself and Elizabeth Murton through a determination and initiative to create a dynamic exploratory exhibition and education programme; providing exposure, advise, education and nurturing artists whether emerging or established and to enhance the Cor Blimey Arts studio group profile and assist CBA in making their studios a more vital and desired place to be in a competitive studio market.



I managed a small team working remotely across the world and worked with over 200 artists and Curators: programming curating, co-ordinating, managing, marketing and promoting 17 exhibitions, 30 talks attracting more then 6,000 visitors over 2 years and a 95% increase in the mailing list. An attraction of national press- we were even mentioned in the same breath as Frieze Art Fair.
Over 2 years we secured Funding to carry out workshops and education programmes from a variety of revenue streams local authorities , national charities, corporate sponsorship, crowd funding to run educational projects and bring resources to Core Gallery and Cor Blimey Arts.
and much much more. All assisted by the fabulous group of people named above and many more.
I made partnerships with Artquest, Goldsmith’s, an , AIR, University of the Arts, South London Art Map, LEAN, Matt Roberts Arts , Reprezent Radio, Q-Arts, Jotta, Jerwood Space, Transition Gallery, Standpoint Gallery, CoExist, local schools and community groups in Deptford.
I go forth with these allies and finish with a talk about setting up your own projects and how to achieve the above.
Come along, it would be nice to see you.
http://www.coregallery.co.uk/diy-exhibitions/
http://www.coregallery.co.uk/



I am also luckily talking about Curating etc for an AIR event at Surface Gallery. http://www.a-n.co.uk/air/topic/469394
And if you have any suggestions for a name or a building I can use then let me know....



Monday, May 23, 2011

and its goodbye from me.....






It was our first birthday in April at Core which aptly was exhibiting Extra-Ordinary which I curated with Jane Boyer: Tom Butler, Alyson Helyer and Marion Michell are utterly wonderful.

‘ Never was a title more apt - you really have created something that lives up to its title. It was a pleasure to look at. Stimulating but also, quite overwhelming

when you really consider the content, the work itself, which is so excellent’

DIY Educate has been getting overwhelmingly positive feedback with people visiting us from as far as Southend and Birmingham and people driving from Somerset and Devon to have tutorials with Graham Crowley…!

heres some nuggets of joy – or feedback as others like to call it… the stuff that keeps me going.!

‘Thanks very much for the helpful and motivational talk last night’

‘ A fantastic and informative evening’

‘ I am absolutely amazed at how effective your session was at making me take action.’

‘ Thanks for organising Engine ChatChat. It's great to see what other artists are up to and comforting to know that you're not alone in facing obstacles as to why and how your work won't quite move forwards at times.
And as ever, the nurturing environment pervading Core Gallery always leaves me feeling glad to be associated with such a positive and encouraging place and group of people.

‘Just wanted to let you know how helpful it was to attend the ChatChat . When one is in art school one has a special status and so much input and a real sense of being part of the world of art. Later, after struggling alone to be an artist one can then feel on the outside.

What you all are doing at Core Gallery is admirable as it gives those people who are trying so diligently to continue as artists a chance to feel connected with other artists in the same pursuit, to hear how art practice is discussed at the moment and to begin to feel part of an art community. I can see that it is important in the current financial climate to create the opportunities ourselves.’

For those of you that read this blog you are also part of something and it is really something quite special. Unsurpassed. Goodbye for now, I am starting a new blog , but sure to return and thank you for reading.

Below is a blogger interview about what I am up to for now in my practise as well ...

http://www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/article/12165...


www.rosalinddavis.co.uk

www.coregallery.co.uk

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Share Campaign | MailChimp

Share Campaign | MailChimp
April Exhibition: Extra-Ordinary, new interviews with a-n and articles for Artlicks. - http://eepurl.com/duMaP

Friday, March 4, 2011

DIY Educate launch!


















The weeks are moving at such a fast pace and so much is squeezed in that my blog is becoming long essays into my life. However , This is a good news blog!

Core gallery got some funding from Fenton Arts Trust with lots of thanks to the glorious Annabel Tilley for helping get that . I was so excited at this prospect of actually being able to pay artists for DIY Educate I nearly blacked out when I got the letter.

It also means we can offer more on our DIY Educate programme. In addition we are also now able to offer students and recent graduates a half price discount on our membership. This means we can give more accessibility and for recent graduates the first year after graduation is when they are most vulnerable.

DIY actually launched over the weekend. It was a fab start

Some feedback from one participant....

Just to say thank you so much for putting on engine chat chat on Saturday. It was great to meet everyone and to get some feedback on my work, I found it really useful and motivating as well as very stimulating, and really enjoyed the artists talk afterwards in the gallery also.... brilliant brilliant brilliant!



Our first nuts and bolts was packed to the rafters, 34 people (four travelled from Maidstone ). It was a fantastic talk , everyone who came seemed so attentive and interested. Nick Kaplony and Jack Hutchinson joined me and they were amazing, it was a really relaxed and friendly environment full of anecdotes. One of the most important parts was a discussion about rejection. I recounted a residency I applied for that I was not eligible for ( it was in very very very small print ) . I spent a long time working on the form, deciding what I was going to do with my practice. When I got the email to say I wasn’t eligible, I didn’t get cross, I thought, it does not matter, I will do everything I set out in my project. I will move my practice on and I have. I fulfilled my own residency. So failure and rejection can be turned around.


After the talk I spoke to people that came, they seemed so relived about being told the truth. Some told me that they had never been told this at art school – art school was just about making, however now that they had graduated they felt so lost because even if they had made fantastic work they were drowning in the complexities of real life in the art world. It made them feel inadequate and failures, which I very much doubt they were. This is a disservice for Art Schools to do that, they have to start addressing professional practice. It is very unfair, particularly if so many higher education institutes are putting up fees because they ‘ offer so much value’

Skin Job: Another fantastic exhibition curated by Andrew Bryant at Core Gallery

Artists: James Prevett, Niklas Tafra, Chad Burt, Daniel Lichtman, Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh, Adrianna Palazzolo and Miguel Pacheco

The PV was jam packed – the South London Last Friday Art Map launched, that partnered perhaps in our mini break over xmas meant lots of excitement in the air.

The curator/ artist talk on Saturday was informative and fascinating and allowed us tp spend more time interpreting the artwork. It is a rare pleasure to be told by an artist their processes. My role in this is to ask serious non art questions, such as ‘ so what did the Ukulele repairman think when you brought in a Ukulele you had smashed to pieces in a field in Holland…’ y’see accessible…..

www.coregallery.co.uk

Monday, February 14, 2011

Skin Job....



The last couple of weeks have been diverse! Amongst the things that have happened: Matt Roberts I had the great honour of curating the Salon Photo prize which was very generous of Matt to allow me such responsibility ( and daunting!) I am learning new skills which I just love! Matt and he is a very good boss! Read more here/ see the cataologue here: http://www.salonartprize.com/ I also managed the online catalogue ( new skills part II- hello Indesign) the PV which was incredibly busy, 1000 odd people in one night ( I felt a bit seasick as wave upon wave of people came in ) as part of First Thursdays in East London.

DIY Educate launches this week, I am nervous and excited about it- feedback has been great, we have a really strong programme I feel and we now have about 20 chair sponsors which is incredible so seats for people- bonus! DIY educate feeds into my role at AIR, a desire to improve artist's situation, to make up for the lack of professional practice compulsory components within art course, so essential, yet often neglected.

Xhibit Selection for the UAL. Being a judge for the open submission for the all UAL students, very interesting day of considering artworks for a show in March


My Work: Had an installation at Battersea Power Station for the last 3 days, incredible space. The Lost Lovers Ball was a festival created by the Secret Garden Party team ( all of whom are incredibly ambitious in their vision) . My installation, an interactive map of lost love, developed from a previous installation at Shunt a couple of years ago. One could call it socially engaged as the people make it what it is- from a barren map to a forest of stories and narratives. It was incredibly popular with hundreds of people adding to the forest, taking photos, pouring over other lost loves. I was there on hand as Lady Valentine and it was a majestic experience! Tonight, appropriately I guess for Valentines, I shall be reading all the stories to compile.... http://www.coregallery.co.uk/ http://www.rosalinddavis.co.uk/

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Core Gallery Interview with Chantelle Purcell



Monday, 31 January 2011
Interview with Rosalind Davis
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54820085@N02/page3/

I am delighted to interview Rosalind Davis a practicing artist, writer, lecturer, elective member of AIR Artists Advisory Group, and co-director of Core Gallery.

Core Gallery launched in April 2010 with the experimental curatorial exhibition 'Exquisite Corpse' since then it has continued to thrive into a dynamic and innovative space for contemporary arts and has worked with around 100 emerging and established, international and UK artists and curators.



In this interview we look to the past and survey Core Gallery’s 2010 highlights, we find out the commitment and work that goes into sustaining a gallery. I get a peek into this year’s exciting programme and discuss the cultural relevance of artist run spaces.


8,000 Souls Part II, Oil and embroidery on cotton, 60 x 40 cm, 2009 © Rosalind Davis


Rosalind Davis is a graduate from the RCA (2005) and Chelsea College of Art (2003) She has exhibited her work nationally and internationally.

Davis also has a blog on Artist’s talking on visual arts directory a-n (www.a-n.co.uk) which has received much acclaim, winning one of 2009’s blog of the year. It was also selected by Matt Roberts (Matt Roberts Arts) as a choice blog of the month in July 2009.


February 2011>>



CP: Can you tell us about Core Gallery’s ethos and how this is unique within Deptford’s art community?

RD: Core Gallery invites curators into the space to explore their practices, they are free to develop ideas and bring in artists that they feel will fit; they work without limitations as much as possible. We in return do our utmost to promote and facilitate their shows, connecting them with other artists, spaces and opportunities wherever possible.

The Deptford Arts community is a very exciting one and each space has its uniqueness and our colleagues here have been very warm and inviting, if it had not been for such a rich artistic landscape here then it is unlikely we would have set up the gallery – we felt we would like to contribute somehow and in turn create something exciting in an underused space which would also feed into our studio artist’s practice and nurture networks.

Here are two very good quotes from 2 curators we worked with at Core in 2010 which does better than I in expressing what Core is about:

“One of the few truly eclectic contemporary art spaces in London, Core Gallery's first year of exhibitions and events has been diverse, thought provoking and substantial.


As a writer/curator Core Gallery has provided me with the space, the support and the network to develop my ideas, try out new things and showcase new and emerging artists. Core Gallery is proving to be a vital addition to the South East London art community.”

Andrew Bryant


“Working with Core Gallery is an energising and inspiring experience for me as a curator. It embodies many of the most positive aspects of artist led spaces, acting as a platform for risk taking, experimentation and diversity of practice with real commitment to and engagement with the development of the local arts ecology”

Nick Kaplony


Artist Talk: The Eighteenth Emergency, 2010 © Core Gallery


CP: William Morris declared in his 1884 lecture ‘Art & Socialism’ that: “Association instead of competition, social order instead of individualist anarchy” were the ways to free creativity and return it to the working man. How pertinent would you say that this statement is today? What associations have arisen from the conception of Core Gallery?

RD: I believe through sharing knowledge and working together we can only strengthen artists roles and improve our situations. Association is better than competition, that way you can build a community from which you can nurture and sustain yourself, your career and others.

At Core we have also set something of a new precedent in terms of our associate members, who are not actually in the studio space itself but contribute significantly to the space such as Jane Boyer and yourself and the artists who contribute to the space or education programme.

I spent 5 years pursuing my own career (and still do) after leaving RCA and it was time to expand myself through the expansion of my own practice through the gallery and it is something I find very fulfilling and rewards me tenfold. Running the gallery and the hard work we do inspires generosity from others in a mutually beneficial way.

Eighteenth Emergency

CP: The programme last year promoted an experimental approach to exhibition-making and placed a strong focus on curatorial concepts. How do you plan to maintain that this year?

RD: This year our exhibition programme is going to continue to be experimental, focusing a little closer to home with myself, Elizabeth Murton and Jane Boyer all curating exhibitions rather than just having guest curators.

Two shows I shall be curating this year: one with Jane Boyer of our DX winners ‘Extra-Ordinary’ in April and an exhibition called ‘Home’ with Annabel Tilley in October. With home, we are exploring this theme in the widest sense of the word- a place of fragility, transition and identity from a cross generation of artists. Artists so far for this project include Graham Crowley, Delaine Le Bas, Rich White, Freddie Robins, Peter Davis, Rose Wylie, Lucy Austin, Emily Speed myself and Annabel Tilley.

64 almost-identical drawings of Josef Fritzl blindfolded © 2009 Annabel Tilley


I am finding the process of curating a very interesting, analytical, critical and exploratory role. I am testing new muscles and learning an awful lot. Also working in partnership is something I very much enjoy, the debate, the conversations which lead you to interesting new paths. It is a delight.

We are also delighted to invite back Nicholas Kaplony and Andrew Bryant and we are very excited to be working with Coexist, a dynamic artist led space in Southend in a collaborative project with our studio members that will tour from Coexist to Core at the end of 2011.


CP: In Jane Boyer’s interview I asked; “What do you think the key is to creating a sustainable artist-run space?” Jane answered, “co-operation… honesty, integrity, trust, sharing, responsibility, communication.” What other strategies are also key to a gallery’s survival and what will you be implementing this year?

RD: I concur with Jane, she has pretty much nailed it: Strong shows, an awareness of the need to be accessible, to be good at promotion and marketing.

Last year we had 11 shows, 3x open studios, 1 community workshop, loads of art talks and it was rather overwhelming and not exactly sustainable (somehow we managed it) so this year we are having less shows and already have our 2011 programme sorted and so it is more manageable for me – so I would say also that balance is also key.

I would conclude in saying that generosity is part of the backbone of what we are doing here, to artists and curators who work with the space and they are equally generous and supportive of us so I think that is part of the success of artist led spaces. I think artists like the freedom of not working with a commercial gallery- it’s a very nurturing way of working, you don’t just feel like a commodity and that is essential and empowering for artists to feel their integrity is being respected and uncompromised.


CP: In an AIR interview with Jack Hutchinson you stated that: “In art education there should be compulsory professional practice for artists, which is essential if new graduates wish to survive in the art world and even get a sense of their newly qualified direction. It is a wilderness out there and you need to do your research.” How important are internships for new graduates? Can you describe the internship programme you have established and how it has added to the dynamics of the gallery?

RD: I think the internship programme is very important. I value my interns highly and seek to harness their strengths and push them to learn and follow projects that they are passionate about. I have three interns at the moment- Jo who has been with us for about 6 months and helps deal with audience development, Jasvinder who has been sorting and jazzing up our website and creating some fantastic graphics for printed materials.

Charlie Norwood is also joining the gallery team (previously at Goldsmiths) and is going to be undertaking some art writing for the space- critiquing shows or possibly writing essays to accompany the exhibitions which will be a wonderful addition.

Without them, our studio artists and our associate members, core gallery would not exist. They in turn are great supporters of the space. I am very pleased to say that one of our interns has gone onto do a curatorial internship at the Tate.

I think part of the role of the gallery is about good practice and we pass this onto our interns. Core, at every level, gives people room to manage their own projects – such as these wonderful Core Gallery interviews which again increases our profile, is a fantastic educational tool and also contributes to your own career.


The Eighteenth Emergency: Exhibition shot, 2010 © Core Gallery


CP: Core Gallery’s is re-launching this year with a show in February curated by Andrew Bryant? What can we expect from this show?

RD: This is the second time Core shall be working with Andrew Bryant: his first show the Eighteenth Emergency was a very intelligent experimental show which I really enjoyed and learned from and I know we can expect something similar this year.

I cannot divulge too much more than that about the exhibition at this stage except that the show is going to be exploring the use of technology and within art.

The artists are: Jim Prevett, Niklas Taffra, Chad Burt, Daniel Lichtman, Ciarán Ó Dochartaigh and Adrianna Palazzolo all of whom studied or are studying at Goldsmiths. The work I have heard about so far has sounded compelling, amusing, strong in concept and execution.


The Eighteenth Emergency: Exhibition shot, 2010 © Core Gallery


CP: A question that is frequently recurrent and is the title of a recent symposium held at Whitechapel is: Art: what is the use? Speaking on behalf of an active artist and gallery director, in your opinion what is art’s use? Any why more than ever is this question crucial?


RD: Artists are incredible. What the general public don’t understand about artists is that they are talented, not just at the art bit. Practising artists know that this is not the only thing we have to do: out of necessity one has to do your own marketing, research and development, manage people, projects, understand law and legal frameworks, create business plans, business development, marketing strategies, organize and manage finance, pr, network endlessly, be adept at negotiation and writing funding applications, leading and managing people, audience development, collector development, education, teaching, professional practice, social engagement and politics. Surviving rejection, funding cuts, knockbacks to name but a few things.....

Out of the desire to survive and sustain and to nurture we learn countless skills: we are analytical, thoughtful, empathetic, compassionate, passionate, philosophical and aware of countless issues.

We draw on a range of skills, experiences, cultures. We are endlessly creative. We are endlessly self educating, self critical, self directive. We challenge ourselves endlessly, we adapt and we try over and over. That takes courage, it all does.
The creative sector works damn hard at being everything we need to be to survive and you know what, we are pretty talented at all this plus the actual making. We need to be recognised and valued further for our contributions to this world. Don’t forget artists are needed, and should be appreciated.


Alyson Helyer, Marion Michell, Tom Butler


CP: Can you tell us about the much anticipated show that is with 2010’s Deptford X Open competition winners; Alyson Helyer, Marion Michell and Tom Butler?

RD: The exhibition is called Extra-Ordinary and will be at the end of April. Jane Boyer and I shall be curating this exhibition and the three artist’s works are going to create a very intelligent show exploring the transformation, subversion and distortion of the normal and everyday into something Extra Ordinary.

The title of the show also reflects the fact that these artists were selected ultimately from over 250 artists and have great promise.

At the moment we are pulling together the curatorial themes and the next thing shall be to visit the artists studios and select works for the show / discuss new possibilities.

Tom who lives and works in America at present is coming to London to be here during the exhibition which is a great bonus too.


Deptford X Open Competition, 2010 © Core Gallery


CP: You have a blog (Becoming Part of Something). That followed the emergence and development of Core Gallery. Can you tell us how this has been useful to profiling the gallery and gaining a larger audience?

RD: Extremely useful! A blog opens up opportunities for dialogue with artists, curators and many others. The blog is quite unique in the sense that there aren’t many blogs about running a gallery space. It is often about ones own practice so it gives an interesting insight into the amount of work a gallery can do and demonstrates the integrity of our space which then also brings in supporters amongst the artistic and wider community who are now contributing to the space in one way or another. I had not quite expected such a thing, such generosity!

I am as well as others very grateful about the artists talking platform on a-n, it is such a fantastic platform for critical engagement.

One of the most important developments through the blog was the involvement of Jane Boyer as an associate member of Core who has been incredible in the helping of the running of the gallery since Autumn last year.

To expand as well: the support we get from other artists due to the blog is down to the honesty of it I think. The practical challenges. I have a genuine passion for artists and I am constantly fascinated by their practices- I celebrate those things through my blog. At times as well I demonstrate my sheer exhaustion! I think it’s important to be realistic about the challenges artists face and the difficulties of juggling my own practice and my many different roles as artist, teacher, writer, gallery manager, project coordinator and now AIR advisory member.

I also had a letter published in a-n about the workings of an open submission as it is fairly controversial issue amongst artists- (where does the money go to, how is this justified etc) explaining how much work open submissions can take. We have a huge responsibility to the artists we work with to get things right and to change the way artists are treated for the better.

We shall actually be discussing the usefulness of blogs at a future Nuts and Bolts Workshop as part of DIY Educate partnered with a-n.


CP: You were recently elected to the AIR Artists Advisory Group, how do you plan on fulfilling this role and representing and campaigning for artist’s causes?

RD: It was an incredible accolade to be nominated to AIR, to be part of a group that shall contribute an insightful, balanced, representative view on current issues faced by the creative sector, to engage others in a proactive manner with the aim of helping and tackling challenges to achieve the goals faced within the creative sector.

I think that we need to collectively create change in current Government policies, public opinion, employment, galleries etc. Education as well is a hugely important issue for me. Part of my election agenda was as follows and so I hope in the 4 years that I shall be on the AIR council that I shall have been able to contribute towards these goals I have set myself.

Air Event, 2010 © Core Gallery

* Helping artists directly by providing them with tools which can enable them to navigate and maximise their impact on the art world while avoiding the pitfalls.

* Facilitating the development of its members by growing the artist community and representation of artists within cultural institutions.

* Creating a structured educational programme of artists’ talks to educate others from our own experiences and giving beneficial advice to advance artist’s careers.

* Promoting the interests of AIR members by effectively building key relationships and ensuring the interests and views of artists are understood and acted upon.

* Developing the arts by building networks of artists and institutions either directly or indirectly facilitating creative partnerships and arts events.

* Increase our visibility and emphasising our strengths as a culturally important sector to the public so that we can gain more support for our issues.

* Helping to Empower Artists as a group not only within the commercial world of galleries but also the wider cultural strata, to be considered as important as any other social commentator working for example alongside government.


CP: Core Gallery has already received a considerable amount of support from its Cor Blimey studio members, associate members, invited artists and curators, but how can people become more involved in supporting the gallery?

RD: We are looking for patrons, sponsors, supporters on every level! We definitely need more financial support as we have no funding to run the gallery and there is an opportunity for people to contribute with a donation, or to purchase a core gallery chair which is giving an important resource to the space and is a very manageable £10.

In addition we are very open to people being involved in the space whether it be; helping mount or take down a show, invigilating, flyering etc! A little help can go a long way! Just get in touch, see our support pages or buy a chair!

We are also happy to have the joining of a new associate gallery member Becky Hunter, an artist, art critic and writer who is going to be looking after our press side of things. Basically the door is always open and people can contribute by just coming and enjoying the shows and passing our info onto others.

All our DIY educators are supporting the space which enables us to provide something even more to our audience and community.


CP: As well maintaining a full exhibition programme Core Gallery facilitates and runs an education programme: DIY Educate. Can you outline what this entails?

RD: DIY Educate is a contemporary education programme run by artists, curators and other art professionals to encourage artistic development for those seeking to further their career in art.



From peer-led and one to one critiques, professional practice workshops as well as a number of artist’s and curator lectures, DIY Educate provides opportunities to learn, network, share ideas and knowledge, providing impetus for artists to develop their practice. DIY Educate also gives practical guides and resources to help artists survive in an unstable and competitive climate, making the most of their skills. How to get work, how to get paid, how to maintain your career- artists have to do it all for themselves constantly and it is a lot to navigate. It is also the real stuff about surviving, the nitty gritty, that we can all feel disappointed and rejected at times but having worked with many artists and students and the last year at Core we saw there was a real need for artists at all levels (and not just when you first graduate) people can get isolated in their practice, be unaware of how best to push themselves whether creatively or even publicly. Another thing is that the London Art scene is huge, we are creating a nurturing pocket for those who may have just moved to London, giving them an opportunity to tap into a rather huge network.


Artist Talk: Psychometry exhibition © Core Gallery


CP: In your recent blog you give a rundown of the highs and lows of 2010. Can you describe briefly the highlights and the challenges you have faced. Also what can we look forward to in 2011’s exhibition programme?

RD: I think everything to do with the gallery has been a challenge but a rewarding one. I have been stretched– particularly intellectually. The skills I have gained, the amazing artists and curators I have met, that is beyond measure.

Having never run a gallery before I am proud of all that we collectively achieved and this year we have more support structures in place and even more support than we started out, so I feel very positive about 2011.

The challenges I think will often be the same challenges: trying to find a balance, trying to do everything I can in the time I have, finances…… but we will just get better at this more.


CP: If you could write a Core Gallery manifesto for 2011, on behalf of the arts collective, what would it entail?

RD: Really simple things which is not exactly a manifesto but is how I hope that we can all be:

* Be generous
* Maintain your integrity
* Be respectful and generous to others
* Nurture art and artists
* Pull your weight
* Explore ideas
* Do not limit yourself or others- be open, seek to understand, to educate yourselves and others.
* Professionalism
* Say thank you (and please)
* Remember that people are not perfect so try not to throw stones.



CP: Is there any news or projects that we haven’t discussed that you would like to divulge?

RD: I have just started working with Matt Roberts as his exhibition manager which is very exciting. I shall be assisting specifically with the Salon photo prize, the Salon video Prize and Julie Cockburns solo show at Matt Roberts as well as working on the catalogues. Matt is an example of someone who is extremely professional, friendly and extremely generous and a very intelligent curator. He has been a great mentor to me and Core Gallery and I am really thrilled about learning more from him and being involved in another fantastic space.

I have also been asked to be on the judging panel for the University of the Arts, Xhibit 2011, which is UAL’s most prestigious annual student exhibition, now in its 14th year. The central aim of Xhibit is to showcase high quality student work from across the numerous colleges of the university, ranging from painting and photography to film, fashion, sculpture, and beyond. The exhibition is expected to reflect the diversity of talent within the university. It is an unexpected honour to be asked.


CP: Thankyou very much Rosalind

Friday, January 28, 2011

Degrees Unedited Article: Becoming Part of Something


Being part of something

Rosalind Davis

Original article published in Degrees Unedited, a-n, June 2010


Graduation comes so fast that many students rarely plan for what happens on day one of becoming a ‘professional’ artist. The loss of the supporting educational environment and immediate peer network can lead to feelings of isolation. Making the transition from being a student to establishing a professional career, building a reputation and garnering interest in your work can be a daunting experience,

I started writing a blog on a-n in 2009. It was self reflective and analytical of my own practice. The process of talking about how I work and who I work with, made me aware that over a period of time I had become part of an ‘art community’. Being part of something is, I believe, crucial to self development as an artist and is utterly rewarding.

Some advice for the new graduate

Be realistic:

As an ‘emerging artist’ it is important to be ambitious, you wont get anywhere without drive and determination, but be realistic too. Not many people have sell out shows overnight.

Be methodical and understand the Art world. Find out which galleries you want to be part of and that are likely to appreciate your work. Start with smaller galleries/ project spaces and invite them to your exhibitions and build up from there.

An exhibition I had at The Residence Gallery only happened because I knew that the Curator was looking for emerging artists and that she appreciated my medium. I approached her and was offered a solo show soon after graduating.

Build your profile

Create a mailing list from visitors books at your exhibitions and then send out invitations to your subsequent exhibitions. Curators and buyers alike want to know you are active, progressing, dedicated and professional. You’re unlikely to get interest in your work if you don’t tell people about it.

Art Dealer and Gallerist Julian Hartnoll bought several pieces of my work a year ago. I continued to speak to Julian, sending exhibition invites and updates. Julian offered me a solo show in Piccadilly a year later

Create your own opportunities if needs be by putting on your own exhibitions, using empty shops as a base or even at the beginning hiring space and then promoting it to galleries

Be professional

If you are offered an exhibition, galleries and curators will notice your professionalism, or lack of it. Remember the shows success is not wholly down to them. Being professional and enthusiastic is much more likely to advance your career and networks than being arrogant and disorganised.

Nurture Relationships

Keep in touch with tutors, identify new mentors in your field of interest and create a critical peer network. Nurture these relationships and it will reward you intellectually, creatively and inevitably create opportunities.

Write a Blog

I was surprised how interactive a blog was; opening up opportunities for dialogue with artists, curators and many others. A blog enables you to be self reflective about your work, give others an insight into your practise and can be used as an effective marketing tool.

Join a studio

It took four years after graduation for me to get a studio and I realise now it is a relatively small expense that is invaluable in creating a peer network. As a result of many exchanges of studio members ideas with we have set up an artist led exhibition space; Core Gallery (www.coregallery.co.uk)

Build your confidence

You need to be articulate and engaging when promoting your work. This can take a bit of practice. Take part in networking events. Make sure you get feedback into your work where you can and understand what others read from your work. You can also join organisations such as www.mattroberts.org.uk and go to professional development lectures etc.

So to conclude; persist, be professional and remember that lots of other artists want to be part of a network too. Join them and be part of something.

Rosalind Davis is a painter, freelance writer and lecturer. She lives and works in London.

www.rosalinddavis.co.uk

www.a-n.co.uk/artists_talking/projects/single/579530




Artists are incredible !



After an inspiring first meeting with the AIR council, a very rich and resourceful, intelligent group I got to thinking about the 21st century artist. Who we are, what we do and why is it important....these are my sketchy first draft thoughts....more to come

Artists are incredible. What the general public don’t understand about artists is that they are talented, not just at the art bit,. practising artists know that this is not the only thing we have to do: out of necessity one has to do your own marketing, research and development, manage people, projects, understand law and legal frameworks,, create business plans, business development, marketing strategies, organise and manage finance, pr, network endlessly, be adept at negotiation and writing funding applications, leading and managing people, ,audience development, collector development, education, teaching, professional practice, social engagement and politics. Surviving rejection, funding cuts, knockbacks to name but a few things.....

Out of the desitre to survive and sustain and to nurture we learn countless skills: we are analytical , thoughtful, empathetic, compassionate, passionate, philosophical, aware of countless issues.

We draw on a range of skills, experiences, cultures. We are endlessly creative. We are endlessly self educating. self critical, self directive We challenge ourselves endlessly, we adapt, we try over and over. That takes courage, it all does,

The creative sector works damn hard at being everything we need to be to survive and you know what, we are pretty talented at all this plus the actual making. We need to be recognised and valued further for our contributions to this world. Dont forget artists are needed, and should be appreciated.

for those artists who are more high profile or established artists' give something back to those who are still climibing the mountain: those of us Campaigning, fighting to make better futures for artists in every way. Use your influence to create change. Dont isolate yourselves. Give back.....be part of something more than yourselves.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Cracking on !




So, January is in full swing, I have had my ear operation, got a job with Matt Roberts (more on that later ) and Core Gallery is motoring ahead.

The xmas period was spent putting the final touches on DIY Educate, finalising our exhibition programme and looking at various funding applications as well as working on 2 curatorial projects within the exhibition programme.

DIY Educate is now launched and looks very exciting! A whole host of a-n bloggers are contributing as well which is fantastic and a-n and Artquest are partnering up with us.

So what is it?
DIY Educate is a contemporary evolving education programme run by and for Artists, Curators and Art Professionals to encourage artistic development.
DIY Educate is providing opportunities to learn, share ideas, network, and knowledge, providing impetus to develop your practice.

Basically that which we all need in this wilderness of an art world, plus the stuff that art schools dont always teach you.....We have 5 strands:

Nuts and Bolts Talks/ Workshops: Professional Practice( the nitty gritty of being an artists- tips and toolkits)

Engine ChatChat art crit: Peer Critique

Curators and Artist Talks:

Individual Artists Tutorials with established artists such as Graham Crowley

Discounts on practical workshops such as painting and photography Discounts on the Core Gallery Open Submission

DIY educate is just £18 per year and allows you access to all of these workshops either for free or at a concessionary rate plus more special offers and events to be announced.

You can read a lot more here

This week sees my first AIR council meeting and 2011 looks set to be ever so thrilling!