Mooch is opening a new gallery in the triangle shopping centre in Manchester city centre. I opened the Oldham street gallery in June last year so this is an exciting time. Mooch is growing fast and the additional gallery offers a huge amount of wall space to exhibit.
I have always know that people need to see the artwork to appreciate just how good it is. More choice from online galleries mean that the quality is patchy at best. The key to a great gallery is representing fewer, higher quality artists. The bottom line is that with fewer artists, a gallery can focus and boost their career more effectively which means the artwork is much more likely to rise in value.
Mooch has relatively few artists but even with the 20 artists, it is impossible to show all their work. The Oldham street gallery is a light and airy space that is in the creative heart of the city. However it's a bit of a walk for those shopping in the arndale or Deansgate so the Triangle will be a great location for more customers.
The gallery in the triangle will be open in 3-4 weeks so we have plenty of work to do in order to get it up to standard. Think of the amount of work you think is required and then triple it. Many galleries need a monumental effort for every opening and change of artwork. It's time to pull out the stops and make the new mooch gallery the best in Manchester, dare I say, the best in the country.
Saturday, 21 March 2009
Monday, 9 March 2009
Photography and art, Digital trickery?
I have had more than a few photographers approach the gallery in the past week and have recently taken on another 2. For some reason there has been a big influx from people who are all keen to show off/sell their images. I have to be the bad guy and tell them that their work is tough to sell and isn't valued much by the people that come into the gallery.
It begs the question why we don't appreciate photography the way we did even 5 years ago. Have we seen too many mind blowing images that have desensitised our appreciation. I love photography, take photos myself and really rate the good stuff as art in its own right.
Digital cameras have opened up the medium to anyone and everyone. It has lowered the barriers and everyone is a photographer who can instantly show the world their work. There are billions of images out there and online imaging websites like FLICKR show that the standard is high. Worse for photographers is that if they do have a unique style, it is relatively easy to copy. By contrast the painter takes years to hone their skill with a paintbrush, the strokes akin to your own handwriting that are extremely difficult to reproduce.
Cameras with incredible spec are cheaper than they have ever been. There has never been such a level playing field in the world of photography. In many ways photography is going the way of the music industry where there is a proliferation of images that devalues each and every photo.
There is also the question of image manipulation. How much is too much? Where should we draw the line between photography and digital art? Magazines are being questioned for thinning and airbrushing their models but it is also prevalent in landscapes. The pristine white sand and perfect blue sky in "Wanderlust" is unlikely to be straight out of the camera. Colour will be boosted, distractions eliminated and you have to question how real the images you are seeing are.
The truth is that photographers have always used artistic license in their work. Before photoshop they would use different shutter speed, aperture, coloured filters or lighting. Post capture they would use different methods of developing the film and for example use silver selenide to give it sepia toning. I have to hold myself in check before I bore people too much about this stuff.
The fact that this manipulation has been taken to a new level doesn't make the images less worthy. I think its a great liberation where you can have anything you want. It also opens up the possibilities that have previously only been open to artists of the painterly kind. Work with photoshop gives that point of difference, that advantage over other photographers that may be thinking they can copy the style.
And this brings me to the photographers that are represented by Mooch art. We only show artwork that hopefully people recognise are by exceptionally talent people. This usually involves digital work that gives them the edge. If you want documentary images then watch the news. If you want outstanding art, come to mooch.
It begs the question why we don't appreciate photography the way we did even 5 years ago. Have we seen too many mind blowing images that have desensitised our appreciation. I love photography, take photos myself and really rate the good stuff as art in its own right.
Digital cameras have opened up the medium to anyone and everyone. It has lowered the barriers and everyone is a photographer who can instantly show the world their work. There are billions of images out there and online imaging websites like FLICKR show that the standard is high. Worse for photographers is that if they do have a unique style, it is relatively easy to copy. By contrast the painter takes years to hone their skill with a paintbrush, the strokes akin to your own handwriting that are extremely difficult to reproduce.
Cameras with incredible spec are cheaper than they have ever been. There has never been such a level playing field in the world of photography. In many ways photography is going the way of the music industry where there is a proliferation of images that devalues each and every photo.
There is also the question of image manipulation. How much is too much? Where should we draw the line between photography and digital art? Magazines are being questioned for thinning and airbrushing their models but it is also prevalent in landscapes. The pristine white sand and perfect blue sky in "Wanderlust" is unlikely to be straight out of the camera. Colour will be boosted, distractions eliminated and you have to question how real the images you are seeing are.
The truth is that photographers have always used artistic license in their work. Before photoshop they would use different shutter speed, aperture, coloured filters or lighting. Post capture they would use different methods of developing the film and for example use silver selenide to give it sepia toning. I have to hold myself in check before I bore people too much about this stuff.
The fact that this manipulation has been taken to a new level doesn't make the images less worthy. I think its a great liberation where you can have anything you want. It also opens up the possibilities that have previously only been open to artists of the painterly kind. Work with photoshop gives that point of difference, that advantage over other photographers that may be thinking they can copy the style.
And this brings me to the photographers that are represented by Mooch art. We only show artwork that hopefully people recognise are by exceptionally talent people. This usually involves digital work that gives them the edge. If you want documentary images then watch the news. If you want outstanding art, come to mooch.
Friday, 27 February 2009
Art and Celebrity
Clint was leant over his decks, the gallery lights were dimmed and the Inspiral Carpets came on by request. "Lets bring on the Boon army" he said. His wife, Charlie, turned to me, rolled her eyes and said "I have to go home with that". That really made me smile and like them all the more.
Thursday night we had the unveiling of the Portrait of Clint Boon. Yet the night wasn't about Clint, it was to promote Adam Hayley and build his reputation. Adam is patently aware that his portraits of random people aren't newsworthy. He has set out to find people to help him make people take notice.
Adam Approached Clint when he saw him at the Salford degree show. I know now that Clint is a genuinely decent guy who has thrown all he has at this to help Adam get into the papers. Maybe that's the reason you are reading this.
Georgie and Paul who run PDC Copyprint across the road saw Clint unloading his gear on the day. Being Inspiral fans, Georgie printed off a photo of Clint and ran out onto the pavement with it in her hand. The wind blew it away and she stopped, felt a little sheepish, and skulked back into the shop. Clint went to pick up the photo, went inside and signed it for them, "Keep on Copyin" it read. They were clearly chuffed and have put it onto their facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5983051&id=27406035402&ref=mf
What is our fascination with celebrity? Why do so many news papers sell on the strength of something happening to a famous face? The famous nearly always have something remarkable about them. Something extra ordinary that makes them more interesting than us lesser mortals. The era of the pointless celebrity I think is coming to an end. Trashy mags that will highlight Tom Cruises' sweaty pits or Cheryl Coles weight loss are falling in popularity.
In my mind the artists with Mooch have extra ordinary talents, so why aren't they famous? Well it takes time and they have to want it. Those artists like Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin had superb publicists and were incredible innovative in their artistic concepts. The tent of former lovers and the Shark in Formaldehyde were brilliant stunts. Like it or not, their breakthrough pieces were remarkable.
So what about the future of mooch and its artists? Well expect the unexpected. Mooch will be grabbing the headlines but not because of a cheap stunt. Pure talent and innovative artwork shown off and displayed in new and different ways is what will bring Mooch to the forefront of art lovers minds. I think with some artists, like Adam, I strongly believe he will be a famous name in the art world and break into the the consciousness of those who have never been into an art gallery.
I once overheard an old dear talking to her friend waiting for the train at Bramhall station. Both of them unaware their brief chat was going to have such a profound effect on me. One said to the other, "Oh look, the train is coming", to which the other replied, "the train was always coming".
Thursday night we had the unveiling of the Portrait of Clint Boon. Yet the night wasn't about Clint, it was to promote Adam Hayley and build his reputation. Adam is patently aware that his portraits of random people aren't newsworthy. He has set out to find people to help him make people take notice.
Adam Approached Clint when he saw him at the Salford degree show. I know now that Clint is a genuinely decent guy who has thrown all he has at this to help Adam get into the papers. Maybe that's the reason you are reading this.
Georgie and Paul who run PDC Copyprint across the road saw Clint unloading his gear on the day. Being Inspiral fans, Georgie printed off a photo of Clint and ran out onto the pavement with it in her hand. The wind blew it away and she stopped, felt a little sheepish, and skulked back into the shop. Clint went to pick up the photo, went inside and signed it for them, "Keep on Copyin" it read. They were clearly chuffed and have put it onto their facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/photo.
What is our fascination with celebrity? Why do so many news papers sell on the strength of something happening to a famous face? The famous nearly always have something remarkable about them. Something extra ordinary that makes them more interesting than us lesser mortals. The era of the pointless celebrity I think is coming to an end. Trashy mags that will highlight Tom Cruises' sweaty pits or Cheryl Coles weight loss are falling in popularity.
In my mind the artists with Mooch have extra ordinary talents, so why aren't they famous? Well it takes time and they have to want it. Those artists like Damien Hirst and Tracy Emin had superb publicists and were incredible innovative in their artistic concepts. The tent of former lovers and the Shark in Formaldehyde were brilliant stunts. Like it or not, their breakthrough pieces were remarkable.
So what about the future of mooch and its artists? Well expect the unexpected. Mooch will be grabbing the headlines but not because of a cheap stunt. Pure talent and innovative artwork shown off and displayed in new and different ways is what will bring Mooch to the forefront of art lovers minds. I think with some artists, like Adam, I strongly believe he will be a famous name in the art world and break into the the consciousness of those who have never been into an art gallery.
I once overheard an old dear talking to her friend waiting for the train at Bramhall station. Both of them unaware their brief chat was going to have such a profound effect on me. One said to the other, "Oh look, the train is coming", to which the other replied, "the train was always coming".
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Mooch Boom time?
The past week has been just crazy. Sales have been great and It finally feels like people are coming out of their post Christmas/recession blues. I feel that enough has been written about the recession already and most people are getting a little tired of the media bringing us all down. Franklin Roosevelt said is beautifully in 1932 "the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself". Therein lies the problem and the solution to our economic woes.
I see it a lot in some people buying artwork. The way people decide what they buy, and even if they buy, is fascinating to me. Much of the time you have to go with your gut instinct and for some people this is really strong and they can have reached a decision within 5 seconds.
Phil at Ascot studios see a lot of very successful people come into his gallery and believes they have a very opinionated and decisive approach when choosing their artwork. This makes sense as to be successful you need to know what you want and make positive decisions on how to get there. We are all the sum of our choices. Flapping and indecision only costs time and money.
Gallery owners appreciate honesty when people look around. If you had a big bit of Parsley inbetween your front teeth, you wouldn't appreciate going through the whole day without someone telling you. Feedback is really important and honest opinions are what drives the development of the gallery and the artwork it shows. If you are a customer reading this, and you come into the gallery, don't be afraid to say you hate something. The worst possible reaction would be indifference but we seem to be getting the right artwork in.
It's important for me to stay down to earth when talking about the artwork. Complex, poncey jargon is not what mooch is about. All I really want to provide is information because I strongly believe that quality sells itself.
I see it a lot in some people buying artwork. The way people decide what they buy, and even if they buy, is fascinating to me. Much of the time you have to go with your gut instinct and for some people this is really strong and they can have reached a decision within 5 seconds.
Phil at Ascot studios see a lot of very successful people come into his gallery and believes they have a very opinionated and decisive approach when choosing their artwork. This makes sense as to be successful you need to know what you want and make positive decisions on how to get there. We are all the sum of our choices. Flapping and indecision only costs time and money.
Gallery owners appreciate honesty when people look around. If you had a big bit of Parsley inbetween your front teeth, you wouldn't appreciate going through the whole day without someone telling you. Feedback is really important and honest opinions are what drives the development of the gallery and the artwork it shows. If you are a customer reading this, and you come into the gallery, don't be afraid to say you hate something. The worst possible reaction would be indifference but we seem to be getting the right artwork in.
It's important for me to stay down to earth when talking about the artwork. Complex, poncey jargon is not what mooch is about. All I really want to provide is information because I strongly believe that quality sells itself.
Sunday, 15 February 2009
Its a Boon for Mooch art
He mentioned it just in passing. A cursory comment that I didn't take to seriously. "Oh yeah, I'm doing a portrait for Clint Boon". I'd heard of Clint but wasn't sure anything was going to come of it. Adam Hayley says these things in his typically modest but excited way. He won the Mooch Artist of the year last year and already had a head start in promoting himself. He'd met with Clint a couple of times, taken some photos and worked out his angle on the portrait. The portraits bring out the character in the individual so Adam needs to understand that. He automatically injects this into the brush strokes on canvas and it is remarkable what he can do.
So the result is a night unveiling the said portrait at the gallery on Thursday the 25th. Clint has been fantastic and is a true man of the people. He is a champion of emerging talent so we are on the same wavelength.
He is bringing his vinyl along, and playing some tunes while his lovely wife serves her home made cakes and tea. I'd never heard of his wife's business before but she is putting on regular events at TV21 bar where she makes tea parties cool again with vintage crockery and great music.
Adam is entering the painting into the National portrait gallery awards in March so It could give him a £25k prize and a springboard to a great arty career. The event will hopefully raise his profile so that people know of this great talent.
Fingers crossed it will go well, Clint will be mentioning it on the radio so I hope we can deal with the numbers. Actually I hope people come, the worst fear of anyone organising an event it that people simply don't care.
So the result is a night unveiling the said portrait at the gallery on Thursday the 25th. Clint has been fantastic and is a true man of the people. He is a champion of emerging talent so we are on the same wavelength.
He is bringing his vinyl along, and playing some tunes while his lovely wife serves her home made cakes and tea. I'd never heard of his wife's business before but she is putting on regular events at TV21 bar where she makes tea parties cool again with vintage crockery and great music.
Adam is entering the painting into the National portrait gallery awards in March so It could give him a £25k prize and a springboard to a great arty career. The event will hopefully raise his profile so that people know of this great talent.
Fingers crossed it will go well, Clint will be mentioning it on the radio so I hope we can deal with the numbers. Actually I hope people come, the worst fear of anyone organising an event it that people simply don't care.
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Angela Wakefield update at Mooch
Angelas exhibition is doing really well and has had some great press if you check out these links.
http://www.citylife.co.uk/arts/news/12453__angela_s_a_hit_at_mooch
http://www.citylife.co.uk/
http://www.chesterchronicle.
http://www.
http://www.chesterstandard.co.
http://www.lep.co.uk/news/
I hadn't seen the Lowry connection but the more I look at her images of Oldham street the more I see. We've reduced the density in the gallery to give each piece more room to "breathe". I think it really works and not only are the comments really positive Angela is also furiously painting to fill the gaps left on the preview night. It's a nice position to be in but I guess people see the quality in her work.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
New Exhibition - Angela Wakefield
the time has come again when the gallery undergoes an upheaval to change all the art on the walls. It's Angela Wakefield's chance to dazzle us with her skills. I have seen all new work now and can genuinely say I am very impressed. Art is subjective and I do need a balanced perspective but I just love her work.
Despite all its flaws, I love Manchester and think she has made the city look as colourful and exciting and maybe its reputation ought to be. The streets I have walked so often are captured with such a different perspective it has changed my view of the city.
Anyway so Wednesday is when we begin the long process of rehanging. Like anything it always takes 10 times longer than you expect. Its worth it in the end when you get that look on peoples faces when they first walk through the door.
Angela Wakefield Exhibition preview starts on Thursday feb 5th at 6pm and will go on until around 9pm. The gallery often stays open as people like to stay and chat and I don't switch the lights on and off, as a subtle sledgehammer hint. By that time I'm parched and starving having been running a la legless chicken for the past day.
The events are great though and people are always genuinely interested in the work. If you fancy coming along then send me and e-mail to info@mooch-art.co.uk.
Despite all its flaws, I love Manchester and think she has made the city look as colourful and exciting and maybe its reputation ought to be. The streets I have walked so often are captured with such a different perspective it has changed my view of the city.
Anyway so Wednesday is when we begin the long process of rehanging. Like anything it always takes 10 times longer than you expect. Its worth it in the end when you get that look on peoples faces when they first walk through the door.
Angela Wakefield Exhibition preview starts on Thursday feb 5th at 6pm and will go on until around 9pm. The gallery often stays open as people like to stay and chat and I don't switch the lights on and off, as a subtle sledgehammer hint. By that time I'm parched and starving having been running a la legless chicken for the past day.
The events are great though and people are always genuinely interested in the work. If you fancy coming along then send me and e-mail to info@mooch-art.co.uk.
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