My exhibition entitled Beyond is now up and running at the Shipley Public Library.* There has been an interesting hitch in the process, in that when I hung my work using ordinary picture hooks the security of these was questioned, and this morning I had to go over to Shipley again to replace these with mirror plates. The civic authorities, it seems, were concerned about security, and the possibility of somebody running off with one of my pictures.
Their concern is appreciated, and this would not be the first occasion on which exhibition venues have insisted on mirror plates. Given the circumstances, however, I do wonder just how more secure these are. The display boards are covered with fibre board, and my guess is that this is only 3/8 of an inch thick. Screws of any greater length would damage the wall behind. A good heave would readily detach one of my pictures. Reflecting on the question, however, it occurs to me that it is a matter of sustaining a sense of the professionalism of presentation rather than deterring criminals.
I do wonder how many artists would actually feel that it is a matter of kudos should somebody pinch one of their works. Is this like the “mile high club” among frequent flyers? To be a member of the “Pinched Picture Club” could become a badge of elite status
*These can be seen in the “Beyond” gallery elsewhere in this website.