How to Go to an Art Gallery
(even if you feel like a fraud and don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing)
I mentioned I’m not the most naturally gifted at art. I grew up thinking that Art (with a capital A) was probably for people who went to fancy private schools – a bit lofty and inaccessible, and not really for oiks like me.
Years later, I booked an art gallery to run an event (because I thought it made me look fascinating and cool), but actually, I was blown away by the exhibits.
I stayed an extra hour after the event ended, looking around the exhibition. The brilliant resident artist/curator/locker-upper woman took the time to talk me through everything.
She made it exciting.
I got more art education in that hour than I’d had my entire time in actual education.
I did not expect that.
Research Before You Go:
Find out some basics about the current exhibition. This will help you appreciate the work better and stop you from feeling lost or bored, things like;
- Who the artist is (or are)
- What are their backgrounds?
- What is their style called?
- What medium(s) do they work in?
Ask Questions and Go with a Beginner’s Mind:
Most art galleries have staff or guides who are overjoyed at the opportunity to answer your questions and share their knowledge with you. They wouldn’t be working in an art gallery without being passionate about the subject.
Human guides are best, but audio ones or commentary apps are common – and definitely the next best thing.
Take Your Time and Soak It Up:
Art galleries are often beautiful spaces in their own right.
Enjoy the atmosphere. Explore. Poke about a bit.
The art can range from photorealistic to abstract and conceptual – with everything in between.
Resist Judging Based on Price or Popularity:
Try not to rush through the gallery, there’s no need to look at everything. Maybe choose a few pieces that catch your eye and spend some time really examining them closely. Notice the details, colours, textures, shapes, and emotions that come up for you as you look.
Think about the skill and creativity involved.
Appreciate the Diversity of Art:
Art is subjective, the interesting part is examining why you react to it a certain way. Treat the whole thing as an exercise in critical thinking.
Resist judging an artwork based on its price, popularity, or your usual taste.
Try to imagine and understand what the artist’s intention and perspective might have been.
Have I Convinced You?
If you wouldn’t normally go to an art gallery or don’t find the idea interesting – it’s probably even more important to give it a try.
Treat it as an opportunity to give your brain some different fuel to work with.
That said, be open-minded and respectful, while you have fun and enjoy yourself (if it’s a load of old rubbish, maybe save that conversation for the pub).
Share Your Experience:
Art is meant to inspire, provoke, and entertain.
You can share your thoughts and feelings with your companions or other visitors, or write them down in a journal – or maybe whack it on social media.
Sometimes you get to take photos (you have to check, in some places that’s a no-no) or sketch your own versions of the artwork.
And for most artists, the struggle is still real, so if there are prints or pieces to buy – and that’s in your budget – then they’d definitely appreciate that.
Dr. Who Fans, Take Note:
There’s usually a cafe and a little gift shop.