In coming up with a theme for Corner Gallery’s new exhibition opening May 23, curator David Partridge selected the word ‘brink.’
He said it was chosen in part because of where the world is, and the state of people’s minds.
Partridge said framing that theme for the artists exhibiting their work was interesting as it could be interpreted two very different ways.
“I think the word ‘brink’ for a lot of people feels like you’re getting pushed over the edge, but other people truly saw it as the dawn of something new.”
He’s asked about private art galleries, which are struggling to make ends meet as the cost-of-living puts pressure on people’s pocketbooks. With art being considered a luxury by some, galleries across Ontario, Canada and the world, are feeling the weight.
Partridge said Corner Gallery is not immune to that, saying “this year matters to its future.” He said the title was also “a tongue-in-cheek jab at that’.”
He said attendance at galleries is down. “It’s so interesting to watch these things ebb and flow because post-COVID, everybody wanted to get out. And already that’s wearing off, and money is getting harder to come by.”
Naturally, Partridge wants Corner Gallery to exist.
“We are constantly trying to tap into the community and be a part of it, so ‘brink’ felt like the right word. Are we on the threshold of collapse, or the start of something new?”
Asked how the artists have responded to the theme, Partridge said they loved it. He said they have been coming with their work and telling him what they were thinking as they made it.
He said last year’s ‘view from up here’ theme allowed landscape artists, for example, to run amok. This year, he said, “you’re not going to be able to just paint a landscape and then say it’s the brink.”
He said one artist who typically does landscapes came in with portraits because, “when she thought about the word ‘brink’ and what it meant, she felt like people were on the brink. And it was interesting to see such different work from last time.”
If people are on the cusp, Partridge said, “maybe a gallery’s purpose is to have them slow down. Come in and have a look. A really good way to undo that feeling is to be with like-minded people who are kind and compassionate and caring, and expressive and want to share, and who better than artists to do that with?
“Come in and look around. You don’t have to buy anything. Seriously.”
He said representing artists is more important to him than selling art. “So that when someone comes in and asks ‘why did they do this?’ I can tell them these are the five reasons I know that they did that.
“And, the best thing I can imagine, is someone wanting to come in and talk about how they are teetering on breakthrough or collapse.”
‘Brink’ opens May 23, from noon to 3 p.m. Partridge said most of the artists will be in attendance. The show will run at least until end of summer.
