Open Exhibition - Worcester Festival - 2nd-23rd August 2008.

On the evening of Saturday 30th December 2006 an artist called Ned James opened proceedings at The Pitt Studio and Gallery (now called Pitt). Ned is a local artist from Hereford and he started the inaugural year with an exhibition entitled ‘Chips.’ Since then the studio space has evolved and played stage to over 17 shows and events in as many months. Recently the studio has been concentrating on the MA student work from near by institutions and has shown the work of many different genres, styes and ideas of art.

Annually there is also an opportunity for an all inclusive Open exhibition, this is our second such show and a chance for everyone who wants to get involved , can make use of the space for a small fee. The Open is intended to allow access to all, regardless of there artistic background. As such it has been a conscious decision not to discriminate there is no selection panel, no theme, no criteria except one; all works must be beneath 1m2. This size restriction is both a practical one and a critical judgement. Earlier this year Modern Art Oxford opened it’s doors in the same manner as us, no selection on a first come first serve basis.

I think as artists it is important that we critically consider the position of Open shows. Each year different institutions ‘open’ their doors and invite us in, for a fee we can have someone judge our worth, and if were lucky maybe even show the work in their hallowed halls, This year I paid £25 for an entry form for the RA Summer Show - the envelope flopped through the door and faced with the ordeal of rules, forms and labels I decided to exhibit this as my entry into this years Worcester Open. After all I am guaranteed successful entry into my own gallery. As artists, should we pay to show our work, shouldn’t we be being paid? Perpetual poverty amongst artists is a given, artists suffer for their lot, through financial and mental turmoil grows ego and genius - or so we are meant to believe. And then there is the actual selection, this the most objective realm of culture. Who has the right to pass judgement? ‘Opens’ are almost designed to leave a bad taste in as many mouths as the short lived sweetness of acceptance. And once you have been accepted you have to put up with the grumpy reception at the hand in, and then the grumpy reception at collection. Is your work actually appreciated by anyone? Then the Private View - everyone is playing selector - “how did that get in? Why did that win a prize? Look where they put me, next to the toilet?” Even the most passive of artists curse under thier breath when everything from the completion of the actual work is taken out of our hands.
So why exhibit in this show. This space supports artists whose work is experimental or ‘non-commercial’ in nature, often the space is used by artists at the start of their careers and we are non-profit. To date we have not received any direct funding and so this show has helped us in this area and will help us continue. Worcester is where I live and it is important to me to support the arts, this exhibition is the best opportunity of building audiences and relationships within Worcestershire. Please enjoy the show, continued support is important if we want to foster some sort of art ‘scene in Worcester -
Thank you all. - Nathaniel Pitt & family

MA-LAB5 - Hot Desk- Throughout September.

ALL WELCOME - OPEN STUDIO - Make, write and research.