Castlefield Gallery

Last week, I attended a show at the Castlefield Gallery in
Manchester which was recommended during my portfolio review with short supply.
The show explores archival material. However, one of the most valuable things I
observed within the exhibition was how large volumes of work can be presented
in a small space.

When arriving at Castlefield Gallery, I was presented with a
few leaflets and left to walk through the gallery in my own time. The show
comprised of four practitioners, all looking at different forms of archives.
However, one of the things that I noticed was the lack of space within the
exhibition and yet all the work was understandable. The leaflet I was handed
when walking in contained details around each exhibition, a map of where each
exhibition was located and information on the gallery itself. The lack of
artist statements and names next to the work conserved space and was successful
due to the separation of the practitioners over the two floors.

One work I was interested in viewing was Dr Yan Wang Preston’s
‘English Gardens’ imagery. I have been familiar with Yan’s work as she is one of
my Tutor’s. however, I had never seen Yan’s work in person until this point. It
was a joy to be able to witness exhibited work that Yan is continuing to
develop and it also made me understand how being a photographer consists of the
same skills that I have been practicing whilst completing my degree (initial
ideas, development, and discussion).

Overall, the exhibition at Castlefield Gallery made me
understand how an exhibition can still be successful even with limited space.
It also made me realise that continuing to use the skills that I have developed
as a student will assist me when continuing my practice after graduation. 

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