#groupshows

Great question, as the advice for approaching galleries and curators is much the same as approaching ADs:

—Make a wish list of clients (in this case galleries), remembering to research what smaller clients are the stepping stones to getting there. In other words, look at the artists that show at your dream galleries, go to their sites, see where they started out, add those galleries to your list

—Follow that list on social media and sign up for their newsletters, so you don’t miss any group shows or open calls (Cafe Call for Entries is also a great resource) - a gallery is not going to offer you your own show right off the bat, they are going to let you in a group show first and see how you perform

—If the gallery is local then go to all their openings/events. If they are not local, consider planning an annual trip to the area and email in advance and see if the gallery owner or curator will meet you when you go. If they can’t, then bring a physical promo piece/small pack of postcards or something to leave for them

—All areas have galleries, no matter how small. If you are truly starting from scratch then find the teeny galleries in your area and work on going to those openings, meeting folks, getting in group shows, and maybe having your own shows locally — it’s all good practice, and you can put it on your fine art CV.

—Once you have 5+ pieces of fine art, make a new section on your portfolio website. If you don’t have a direct-to-fan newsletter then start one now.

—As far as getting feedback, that’s tough just like it is with art directors: we’re busy folks and you’re asking us to work for free to give you help. Many of us are happy to do it when we can, but there’s only so much time in the day to do that and still do our jobs. The best advice for ADs still applies to galleries: follow us on social media, see where we’re going to physically be, introduce yourself, have a conversation. Sometimes we’ll do reviews online, but it’s sporadic. If you’re visiting our town then email a a month ahead and see if we can meet you for a few minutes.

—Agent KillFee

porque tu vida ha vivido en mi, 2018.

found objects, metal, wire, wood, cloth, altered Lotería cards, high fired stoneware clay. installation size varies.

porque tu vida ha vivido en mi translates to “because your life has lived in me.” 

all of my work deals with ideas of family and culture, traditions, narratives and the accumulation of sentimental objects that tell the stories of our lives. i had gone to méxico a couple of times in the past two years. one of the things i collected during those trips was an apron from a local tianguis in a town close to where my parents grew up.

that was the inspiration for the piece. at the time i was there, my grandma was still alive. it was the last time i saw her. she passed a couple of months after i came back. this got me thinking of all the people that have come into my life, my journey in art, and the places i want to still visit.

the piece begins with white geometric objects spewing more white objects. the objects are white but immediately begin to get mixed with color and other media. i wanted this piece to visually express growth from a formal mentality to a more authentic and cultural one. i fought bringing my culture in my work for a long time but i was just kidding myself.

i am my culture and the history of my family. all of my family. and i regret so much not having spent more time with my grandma when she was still here. it is a burden i carry with me every day. i see her in the aprons on the wall and in the purple ribbon tied in her memory.

gracias.

Sideshow 195

Sitting room gallery, New York, NY, February 2024

Rachel

Inkjet on found scrapbook paper

Sideshow 195

Sideshow 195

Sitting room gallery, New York, NY, February 2024

Collage 4: Diary book page

Mixed media collage

Sideshow 195