Peteskibreen's Blog

We have recently added an extra week to exhibitions at Jugglers. That is, we have increased shows from one to two weeks. This has been driven by the need for less pressure on the organisation’s core staff and interns and to allow more time for the exhibiting artists to promote their work, to build a following and maybe to secure more collectors. The collecting of original art by emerging/mid career artists is one of life’s joys for me and from the regular sales we have at Jugglers, it is a joy for others as well. Buying art from Jugglers helps secure our future as a small artist run organisation and gives a sense of determination to artists who sell.

What I have found is that in the slower turn around and the gradual exorcism of maniacal activity that our weekly shows had become, I am contemplating the works more and I am standing still in front of pieces of art with increased levels of serious inquiry. What is the story here, why am I pulled into this, why is the aesthetic so mesmerising ? It is very easy in this world obsessed with consumption and an oversaturated visual landscape via all platforms of media to be DNA wired to jump along the line in an art exhibition, to consume the image or painting and to buy into quick fix turnaround visual orgasm or vomit! A simple management decision that was value driven is contributing to the need for slowness and enjoyment without feelings of cash flow and artistic demand. Even if applicants need to wait a bit longer for a show, the benefit of our slower pace is already bearing fruit at least in me. I am also spending a bit more time with the artists. I had fallen into a commodity trap! Artists are reclusive and need time to engage with their concepts, media and then, the public and the curator. A sense of rush never achieves considered well resolved good art, nor does it leave the artist passionately planning to return to the gallery. We like working with artists who want to come back, to build the family links. We have certainly done that but our hope is that this very small change will build on the values we hold which had slipped away from us engaging with effectively.