So after much discussion and debate last week we flew to London so I could attend Varnishing Day on Monday. We arrived on Saturday morning. I got my hair cut at a hole in the wall place in SOHO. The hair cut was fine. Not the best hair cut I have ever had but also not the worst. In some ways it was better than the hair cut I got at a pricy salon in my Huron village neighborhood. The next two days were filled with great art exhibits, lots of walking, theater at the Globe. It felt like were back to our old younger selves doing “Our Happy London Thing” and having a grand old time.
For me it was amazing that each of the art exhibits we saw had some direct relationship and importance to my own art practice. Victor Hugo, Giuseppe Penone, Arpita Singh and Do Huh So. They were reminders for me to not be afraid to make big marks, experiment, but also to just continue to be me and believe in myself and the value of what I create.
Varnishing Day was indeed quite special. I met other artists, including bonding with another grandmother artist from Australia and a young artist from LA who is also a musician. My dress, which I bought the Wednesday before we left from a consignment store in West Concord was a huge success and even helped me connect with other artists. I had gone to the consignment store in a final effort to find a dress for my neice’s wedding and not only were they having a dress sale but this dress was there brand new with it’s tags still on. It felt like it was waiting for me and the moment I put it on I knew I had to get it for Varnishing Day. Funny Pink was indeed a popular color for artists on Varnishing Day. There was a man in a full bright pink Kilt and Jacket. And other pink dresses.
But now to the exhibit. I have seen many Summer Exhibitions at the Royal Academy and this one felt super strong. I spent a lot of the time wishing I could dawdle more and look at the art because there was a ton of AMAZING art in this exhibit. It also felt bigger than many past exhibits. And of course there was the art from artists I adore like William Kentridge that I wanted to vist over and over again. UGH. But it was a chance for me to network and meet other artists and I also wanted to do that. Two hours was just not long enough!! I also was not overjoyed with how my pieces were hung. I know that sounds petty. But I feel like they are not hung in a way that makes them as visible or in a way that will allow people to appreciate them. And so there was a bit of frustration and sadness about that. I should just be happy they are in the exhibition. Not just one but TWO pieces. Apparently among the amateur artists in the show that matters a lot. And I do like that they are hanging together.
After the varnishing day party I met Roy in the Academicians Room which was filled with Academicians partying after the event. It reminded me of how I felt among the faculty at the SMFA, many of whom were my age but had achieved a status being faculty at the school that I would likely never have. Unlike undergraduates who look up to these adults, I often felt like they were more my colleagues or peers. I did not necessarily feel they were any smarter or more worldly or even knowledgeable than me. There were many whose opinion and thinking I admired and respected and who I would turn to for critiques and advice. One younger faculty, who sadly passed away, had my greatest admiration because she clearly was a brilliant thinker and creative. She more than anyone deserved her position and interestingly she was sought out by many young students as well. I still revisit what she wrote about my art after she was on an end of the year panel of mine. But there were also some who honestly made me question how they arrived at their position given their flawed thinking and somewhat simplistic ideas. But again being around all the Academicians as they drank and socialized brought me back to the complex feelings I had when I was at the SMFA. At this point in my life it is unlikely I will ever land in the spot of the “in crowd” among art faculty and I just have to accept that.
The trip was too quick and before I knew it I was back at Drumlin Farm on Wednesday, greeting CSA members, restocking vegetables, sharing recipes and ideas. Then the following day my son’s wife and two kids arrived and I am back in Grandma Mode…..Making a fabric butterfly necklace out of scraps for my granddaughter and blowing bubbles with the little one after he woke up from his nap and was crying for his mommy.