Many thanks to Irving Goffman for that wonderful title! It happens to describe my current problem very well. It is, of course, one which faces all artists. How do you present yourself as an artist to the world? Of course, in one sense the work speaks for itself. There is always the awkward problem, however, … Read more
This afternoon I walked round our neighbourhood distributing leaflets about my forthcoming exhibition. “You did WHAT!?” I hear you cry. Leaflets? Who uses them any more in the age of electronic communication? Actually, it isn’t a silly idea. With several of them I had the opportunity for personal conversation with the recipient. Relationships are reinforced … Read more
This afternoon I called into the Apothecary Gallery in order to show my face at an event there. I found myself in conversation with a woman who had run a gallery in London in the past, and I was flattered by her appreciation of my work. She asked what arrangements I had made to publicise … Read more
I am fortunate to have been invited to present a solo exhibition of my work at the Apothecary Gallery, in May. It might come as a surprise to discover that before the end of February I am already shaping up to the preparations for it. I had an exchange of long emails with the proprietor … Read more
I’ve spent a good part of today preparing a mailing promoting a new exhibition to potential venues in the region. The cynic in me has difficulty in putting out of mind the phrase “triumph of hope over experience”. If I look back over my CV, however, I am compelled to realise that none of the … Read more
Early tomorrow afternoon I have a meeting with the manager of the museum/gallery which will be exhibiting some of my work in April. I have to present to him the material I want to use in the way of publicity. I have managed to write the text to my satisfaction, but the job of selecting … Read more
We are told that live in an age of communication, and that we ought to embrace this. As I was running through my emails and facebook tonight, as I usually do, I began to wonder whether the amount of time and effort we invest in communication is always energy well-directed. My mind has been mulling … Read more
Well: not quite, but at least some welcome local press coverage. There is a very useful website run by a former colleague of mine at the University, which is devoted to the promotion of artists from Bradford (www.notjusthockney.co.uk). I doesn’t just feature contemporary artists, and not only painters, but people working in all media in … Read more
My engagement with the internet over the past few days has been interesting. It occurred to me to ask how easy it might be to obtain information about people or institutions I know, by putting their names into a search engine. The result surprised me. I began with the names of three people known to … Read more