The truth is that I’ve been reading about curating for years, but no books, articles or academic essays could prepare me for the reality. No academic told me that I would have to deal with last-minute changes and unexpected problems. Not even one teacher, tutor or lecturer throughout my education mentioned that I would have to assert my authority as Exhibition Designer whilst trying to earn the respect and trust of all the artists to move forward with our shared endeavour.
Soon after though, when the doors opened to the public and all the artists came to me with a nice word or two, that’s when I felt good. As I looked around at what we’d done, it dawned on me - I did it!
For the first time I had been given the opportunity to show what I could do. I had worked hard and now I was proud of what I, and we, had achieved. When I stopped and looked at the end result and I saw all those happy faces, including mine, that’s when I knew that I don’t only love this job with all my heart, but that I can do it too!
In many ways, I think that exhibition designers and artists are alike: like artists, curators need foresight, to see how they can move on to the next thing, gaining everything but losing as little as possible. This means that they have to take risks and occasionally break the conventions set by traditions, habits and the “wisdom” of their forebears. It is learning, teaching and innovating all at the same time.
I have learned so much from the Surrey Sculpture Society exhibitions, more than I’ve read in the various books or courses I’ve attended. Surrey Sculpture Society was the first place to give me an opportunity to shine; to challenge myself. This is something for which I will always be thankful.
The wonderful people that I met among its membership helped me realise that I wanted this role to become my life and my job. I will always be grateful to them for helping me find my way.
I accepted the responsibility of designing that exhibition then, and I will always jump at the chance to take up that mantle in the future.
Who wants to be a curator? I do!
Social Media by Nicholas Baker
Hands by Mehran Ghahari
Baa Baa Bowl by Janet Morton
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