Art, work and celebrities (?)

Just random ramblings about my job – nothing of importance.

Since I began this job as an administrator and curator (or gallery technician as I like to call it) I’ve been through entire 76 exhibitions. 14 of these were built all by myself, either because it was planned or because the artist suddenly fell ill/died/couldn’t make it in time/got delayed by one or other reason. 

During these years, I’ve learned (among oodles of other things) the value of a toolbox and keeping it full with all kinds of “toys”. Not at all coincidentally I’ve learned the importance of pockets! And pockets are crucial when you’re alone in the gallery.

The art has been plentiful and varied, and so has the artists. Being social is definitely not my strongest characteristic but hanging out with all those artists while we’re constructing the exhibition has always been some of the best parts of this job. And I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve received plenty of praise for my skills and helpfulness so obviously I must be doing something right.

Ok, some artists along the way have been a bit weird but mostly in a good way, and the really odd ones and drama queens has been extremely rare exceptions. That leaves us with the celebrities, those who are just a bit more famous, either locally or nationally. Generally I’m not that bothered. I treat every artist with the same curtsey. It’s part of the job.

But there are moments and people who feel bigger than others. Like the visit from Johannes Wessmark, an illustrator with a flair for hyperrealism (right up my alley), or Stefan MÅS Persson, a totally awesome surrealist painter with nods to both Escher and cubism.

And up ahead in a couple of weeks: Ardy Strüwer, probably one of Sweden’s better known painters and graphic artists.

I’ve met him before, way back in the beginning of this job (oh, I was such a rookie) so it’s not 100% new but his time, due to various reasons, I’ll be constructing his exhibition completely on my own. And that feels big. Not OMG-big, or freaking-out big but a certain it’s-a-really-well-known-person-and-I-don’t-want-to-botch-it big.  

Also I feel a bit proud, and confident. I’ve done this before and I know I can make it a good one and make the artist feel satisfied with the exhibition.

Yeah…

I mean…

Sort of…

BRING IT ON!!!