art huddle

Kate Jones - Director John Jones

November 2008

I was very honoured to join the panel for Salon08 along with artist Cath Ferguson and Andrea Tarsi who is Head of Exhibitions at Whitechapel. Organised by Matt Roberts Arts, Salon08 is in its second year and had over 1,000 applications.

The panel were each sent a selection of artists’ work to review, along with CVs and statements. It was impressive to see a strong variety of mediums in the submissions and I was particularly pleased to see installation works, including a festive display of bottled Christmas trees – most apt for the time of year. There were many weird and wonderful subject matters – from a mutated sea banshee to a Donny Darko bunny on a bike, it was all very enlightening. The panel met at VineSpace gallery on Vyner Street to discuss the works that we’d like to include in the show. Not an easy task. I know from the artists who I work with at John Jones how much work goes into submitting an application, not just in terms of time, but also mental focus and emotion.

After much deliberation – and not too many arguments – we settled on the final selection of artists. It was a challenging yet enjoyable experience and I look forward to seeing the work installed in the gallery space – the private view is 4 December.


More info on www.vinespace.net

Tips for submitting applications:

• Photograph your work so the format and medium are clear. If necessary include a detail shot, but indicate this as a detail shot, so it doesn’t come across as part of the work.
  
• Don’t send an over stylised installation shot – it may come across as though this image is the work, rather than an image of the work!


• Where relevant, include an artist statement.

Kevin Smith - Photographer John Jones

• Make sure that the work is square to the camera with even lighting.


• Ensure that the lighting is at a 45 degree angle, this is subject to the nature of the work.