Members from Embassy Gallery joined us today for a seminar in which they gave us an insight into the workings of the gallery and how they preserve records and materials from past exhibitions. Looking at a gallery’s archives and material holdings can provide us with valuable insights into the history, context and significance of the artworks and the institution itself.

Their website has also created an excellent archive to record and organise past exhibitions, which provides a good perspective on exhibitions from a curator’s point of view, including the following:

  1. Historical context: The gallery’s archives can provide a wealth of information about the historical context in which artworks were created, exhibited and acquired. This includes information about the artists, their biographies and artistic practices, the social and political climate of the time, and the gallery’s role in promoting and supporting certain artistic movements or styles.
  2. Artistic process and materials: Materials conservation can reveal insights into the artistic process and the materials used in the creation of artworks. This can include information on the techniques and materials used by the artist, as well as any changes or modifications made to the artwork over time.
  3. Exhibition history: Gallery archives can also provide a record of an artwork’s exhibition, including curatorial decisions and the reception of the artwork by the public and critics.
  4. Provenance and ownership: By examining the archives and keeping records, we can also understand the provenance and ownership history of an artwork, including any transfer of ownership or changes in vesting.
  5. Conservation practices: Material conservation can also provide insight into the gallery’s conservation practices and their commitment to preserving and protecting artworks for future generations.

In summary, for students studying curation, looking at a gallery’s archives and material conservation can be a rich source of information that can lead to a better understanding of the history and context of the artwork and collecting institution.

Week 4: Embassy Gallery / Yushan Zhao / Curating (2022-2023)[SEM2] by blogadmin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0