I´m back (consistently I hope)! And as per usual it´s been very hectic out here. With several deadlines and a recent show taking all my attention, it´s been non-stop since I got back from studying in Spain. I wouldn´t have it any other way though!

Me posing with some of Malak Hassanein´s work (*@artbymalakhassanein* on Instagram)

Now- the show. That´s what I´m here to talk about today my dear little readers. This March, my uni set us an assignment- an offsite show with no help or funding (what a surprise) from the university. Now, this isn´t my first rodeo. We had to do this last year too- but with the stress of a nightmare experience in Madrid, taking up extra credits, and blah blah blah… It was a lot. As a student exhibiting is already a difficult thing, on top of that a lot of galleries will hang up on you after hearing the word “student”, so I knew we needed all hands on deck to make it BIG this year.

From left to right *@artbymalakhassanein*, *@artbyscarlettt*, *@arttcaro*, *@j.spaintings*

After finding a group of 3 incredibly talented women, we set off to find a space. This is the most important part, you find a space and then you build up from there. We opened maps on our phones and began calling the listed numbers “No availability”, “Uhhh no thank you”, “3000 Pounds daily fee + 50% cleaning fee + breathing fee + f*ck you fee. All paid in one go”.

And then, after a coffee and contemplation break, just when we thought all hope was lost, we called one last gallery. “Hello, Gallery Extreme … yes I would love to have you, I´m a big fan of UAL students!”. I know- we couldn´t believe it either.

The beautiful Gallery Extreme Façade in all her glory (*@gallery.extreme.98* on Instagram)

After we confirmed the venue details, we set off. Designing posters and flyers, printing them at uni, and cutting them on the guillotine in batches of 7 (we pushed those uni guillotines to their limits). After several hours of unoiled blades screeching- a big sorry to everyone who was studying- we began handing out, sticking, pinning, and forcing flyers into people´s hands. I put the event on Eventbrite too- just to make us feel important- and we began preparations for opening night.

Since the show explored memories, dreams, and nostalgia, the poster was made to look like a Polaroid.

We wanted to have an opening night, something to set the tone for the week. When I have the opportunity, I love sharing my platform with other upcoming London talent, whether that´s fashion, music, or other visual artists- if you´re a creative I want to support you! So in honour of this, I got in contact with some incredible singers, rappers, and all-around soulful performers. And just like that, we had a small lineup for the evening.

Whilst performers confirmed their appearance, the painting, running around, building, material sourcing, and learning how to use a power drill improv began. We were given the space with beautiful plants that we used in a site-specific installation (a work of art designed specifically for a particular location) and bare, undrilled walls. We began setting up, and that day we learned brick will bend the wrong drill bits,and McDonald’s tastes extra good when you eat it on the floor.

Photo by Malak Hassanein (*@artbymalakhassanein* on Instagram)

After a lot of rearranging, dust, near-death experiences (always hold your mate´s ladder), and realising we had no cups, we were ready to open. Invites had gone out, links and QR codes shared- over 100 tickets had been booked. We were terrified and excited. The doors opened and people began flooding in, I couldn´t believe how many people had come to see our art, watch the performers, and enjoy a beautiful night of creativity. It´s an experience I´ll never forget- and I hope it´s only one of many.

My claustrophobia was kicking in at this point, but nothing hiding behind the bar couldn´t solve.

Josephine Schmidt (*@j.s.paintings* on Instagram) talking guests through her work

Myself (*@arttcaro* on Instagram) putting my hospitality skills to work

After getting through 30 bottles of wine and possibly the same amount in sweat, the night came to a close. I even gave a little speech, which would´ve been scarier if I didn´t love being the centre of attention. And as I watched people leave, congratulate us, and have one last look at our work, all I could think about was that we should have bought more f*cking cups.

My piece Passiflora (available from the Shop) on display by our buffet, with food from each of the artists´ countries.

After that kind of experience, you have no choice but to learn. The biggest things I would like you to take away from this is that nothing is ever too big to achieve, and you should be scared. If you feel scared you´re going in the right direction. A few months ago the thought of hundreds of people coming to see my work in one night was a thing for a distant future, but I see now that future is not so far. The people you work with are just as important as your work. A good, hard-working group where everyone is involved will make the process much much easier and smooth sailing- but let´s be honest, exhibiting is never a fully smooth, stress-free process for students.

Get yourself out there, make calls, get to know people, and keep creating. Search for opportunities, ask to use spaces- the worst you will get back is a no, and that is simply a redirection, never the end of the road.

As always, thank you for reading my weekly thoughts :)

Reminiscencias: How I go about exhibiting as a student

London, City of Art

Halfway There- Painting Classes and the Importance of Rest