The Newcastle gallery scene thrives on bringing community together but during this self-isolation/social distancing age all that has disappeared, forcing our independent galleries and artist collectives to find new ways to present, captivate and engage with their audiences. Part one of how our local art scene is finding innovative ways to stay connected.
Blackstone Gallery would have been opening the much anticipated solo exhibition by Justin Lees As we all play parts of tomorrow on Saturday, April 4. Instead the gallery will present a Live preview via @blackstone_gallery Instagram stories from 6pm tonight. During this time you'll be able interact in real time and even be able purchase works from this special preview event.
Back to Back Galleries would have been hosting Shelf Life to coincide with the Newcastle Writers Festival. Instead of completely cancelling the exhibition, curator Sylvia Ray and the artists decided to create a website including artist statements, artwork details including purchase prices, videos and voice-overs of artists explaining their works. "It's being positive and not overwhelmed by the messages." Kris Smith, one of artists and the creator of the website said about this time. "We can use this as an opportunity to be reflective on what's important." He said about the website "... hopefully we have set in place some things of value that will be of benefit once things settle down. It's a great way to keep the exhibition alive and I'm hoping it will allow those artists who haven't had an online presence to give them one." Visit shelf-life-nwf.squarespace.com
Gallery 139 will be visiting their gallery artist's studios every Saturday via their @gallery_139 Live Instagram story feed at 11am. If you miss tuning in on time, Live stories last 24 hours. This Saturday the gallery will be visiting Malcolm Sands' studio to see new works in progress.
