Eastlife Autumn 2020

The Arts
Column
Written by Collette Hoefkens;
Proprietor at Norton Way Gallery and artist
www.nortonwaygallery.com
‘Step by Step III’ by Magdelena Morey
at The Darryl Nantais Gallery
Galleries have long promoted professional and aspiring artists. It is an amazing and
wonderful, yet sometimes very difficult vocation. Choosing individuals that you trust
and utterly believe in is a soul-searching task, for both the gallery and the artist. So why
do they feel that they need each other?
Many involved in the creative sector reject the theory that art is simply a matter of
taste. For them it is essential that created works meet particular criteria such as depth,
meaning, creativity, skill and occasionally beauty. Whether a piece meets these criteria
can be open to opinion, but most agree that it should.
Both galleries and artists have always had very strong opinions on what art is and
whether it is good. Rarely do they all agree on every aspect but there is, unsurprisingly,
a substantial area of common ground. Artists like to be represented by galleries that
share the same beliefs as themselves. They are thrilled to be exhibited with the peers
that they admire.
Similarly, curators can find themselves regularly drawn to the same new talents as their
competitors. For example, Andrew Farmer ROI and Magdalena Morey are constantly
approached by talent spotters and are able to choose the representation that suits
them best.
Once a relationship is forged between artist and gallery, expectations will be
established. If the importance of the art is to be more than surface deep, then it must
be nurtured and understood. The gallery will invest huge amounts of time and capital
in exhibiting the works, both physically and online. In return for their investment, they
will keep a share of the proceeds once the work is sold. The artist will strive to create
honest pieces that genuinely reflect their feelings and engage the potential appreciator.
It is a hard line for both to follow and the balance between integrity and finance is often
challenged. Both parties must understand and acknowledge what they provide for
each other.
‘Woodland Sunset’ by Andrew Farmer
at Norton Way Gallery
It is imperative that the mutual respect and hard work of the artist and gallery combine
through a genuinely shared artistic ethic. Once this is found and developed, they are
then able to find each precious piece of work a new and loving home.
Magdalene Morey at The Darryl Nantais Gallery
59 High St, Linton, Cambridge CB21 4HS
www.linton59.co.uk
Andrew Farmer at Norton Way Gallery
51 Norton Way N, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1BH
www.nortonwaygallery.com
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