I don’t quite know what I expected from the show, but the word ‘interim’ somehow led me to think it might be a bit makeshift. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Install day was calm but busy and I was particularly struck by how much our pieces changed as we were putting them up – I wonder if this will always happen or whether its normal for people who haven’t exhibited much.
Once up, I was so so impressed by how good my pieces looked: the lighting, how they interacted with the other pieces in the show, the shadows they caused.
The other thing I didn’t expect was the amazing comments from people attending the private view: SO much positive, insightful, constructive and thoughtful feedback, from pointers to Greek mythology through to more than one mention of Vivienne Westwood! I’ll certainly take that… and though I hadnt spotted the punkiness of my work before, they were absolutely right.
What did I learn? To lean on those I am exhibiting with more, to be realistic about what I can achieve in the timescales (I was shattered afterwards…) but also that although I loved how my ideas came out, and the freedom of expression they showed, I would have liked the sewing to have been a little more careful and precise, particularly on the large hanging piece. Perhaps this stems from dressmaking – and although it didnt detract from the look and feel – I would have liked them to look neater.
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