I spent a large part of the afternoon hanging my exhibition Set Apart in Unit 9 at South Square. I always find hanging work to be an interesting experience, for several reasons. In this case I have not exhibited the material for at least two years, although I have had some of it on the walls at home. It is good to come at the whole set of images as if they are new. Coming into a different gallery also imposes the need to look at the spatial aspects of the show. What will hang next to what, and what might have to be separated, even though they were originally conceived as closely related? Items that I previously thought to be weak suddenly seem stronger in a new relationship to others (and some possibly weaker too!)
The big surprise of the experience was the realisation that this is actually my work. I don’t often work in watercolour, and have done nothing of importance in this medium since I finished the Set Apart series. I really ought to do this more often. This realisation is very timely indeed, as next week I leave for Italy, where I will be doing research for my new First World War series. I shall make a point of taking by watercolours. Could be fun!