TIPS/THINGS TO CONSIDER
Don’t clean/tidy your studio
But do prepare – have on hand what you want to talk about
Be prepared technically – if you are showing videos pre-load them and be ready to go
Artists and curators like the same things – it’s interesting to see source images, materials and tests as much as more completed works
If relevant, have copies of catalogues on hand
Think about how you want to run the meeting
Focus on something in particular rather than running through your entire practice, which is to be avoided!
Provide a little background to your practice
Present a range of projects 4-5 max
Present projects at different stages of completion
Present work that you are doing now
Speak about the theoretical/critical framework of the project/work – and do so in a digestible, straightforward manner
Talk about your work succinctly – learn to distill, discuss and present
Always take things back to the work and focus on the work
Look for conversation and points of access and ask for an opinion: ‘This is where I’m at with this project/work - what do you think?'
Be honest
We all want to impress our parents - that is we want our work to be liked, but be wary of ‘pleasing’. You can’t predict what a person you have never met might respond to, so keep it honest and let the work speak for itself rather than trying to present what you think the other person might like... You can’t know this.
Be open to dialogue and let the conversation go where it will, allowing the curator to input, so that it is a conversation and not a presentation. You might not get to cover everything that you planned to speak about, and that's fine
Get advice on the work. Throughout the course of your practice you’ll meet many people and it’s good to be open to suggestions and feedback even though it can feel like a vulnerable place
Ask about the commercial aspect of the practice – that is the commercial viability of the work
Ask about the institutional framework and advice on where the curator thinks your work would fit