An Inteview with Gallery No.32
I suspected I was going to enjoy meeting Gallery No.32 when co-directors Megan Stuart and Kieran Idle suggested we meet at a location that allowed for post-interview art visits. Except we met on a Monday — the art world’s weekend — which was probably for the best as they were still pretty busy finalising the third iteration of their Winter Sculpture Park, a 24/7 outdoor art exhibition that opens on Sat 18 Feb and will run for ten weeks. We met a few weeks prior to discuss just how much effort it takes to develop and maintain such a large scale endeavour.
Megan and Kieran are no strangers to how the art world works. Their combined CV has more than enough arts degrees, creative internships, gallery and museum experience to make their mums proud. But one thing they’ve learned over the last three years is that working outdoors is different. Very different. The installation dates for last year’s exhibition coincided with the arrival of Storm Eunice, which brought multiple days of torrential rains and record setting winds. From the UK’s notoriously unpredictable weather to an equally unpredictable public, running a 24/7 outdoor art trail has its fair share of challenges. Navigating these is what enables Gallery No.32 to be not just curators, but educators and mentors for their growing list of exhibiting artists, many of whom are showing outside for the very first time.
I had heard about how helpful Megan and Kieran are, then got a sample myself when we agreed to meet at a coffee shop, only to find Megan patiently waiting for me outside the train station. That’s the kind of courtesy they extend to their selected artists, offering up to three site visits to discuss things like how to ensure their work can be safely built, installed and weatherproofed. Reflecting back on last year’s experience, artist Jyoti Bharwani says “I hadn’t even considered the ground quality & make up in relation to how the elements such as wind and precipitation would affect the materials we were proposing to use.” With a firm grasp on what will and wont work, Megan says they go out of their way to be explicitly clear to everyone about the risks, weather or otherwise. “It’s part of the process. Putting work in an unmanned field with 24/7 access.” I can imagine how an artist might plan for that, but it’s an entirely different experience to live through.
Become-ing by Gloria Sulli. Photo credit: London Art Roundup
Gloria Sulli’s work ‘Become-ing’ was selected for last year’s show. It looked like a giant crab made of elephant tusks crawling through the field. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it to the end unscathed. “I had not considered the minor damage caused by walking dogs who thought it was a moving animal and attacked it several times. The big damage happened from vandals to which I was exposed and conscious considering the display was in an unprotected public place. Definitely I felt dejected, artworks are like artist’s sons.”
Even if they are few and far between, incidents like this just plain suck, and they’re an unfortunate fact of life for public outdoor art. In spite of this, the lure of extended exposure has led to annual increases in applications. Accordingly, Megan and Kieran are increasing their outreach.
The Winter Sculpture Park is located in four acres of disused farmland in Bexley. It’s an area Megan knows well. She grew up and went to school in Bexley and spent a lot of time around the site. “It was a popular spot with all art students” as well as local families, dog walkers and weekend ramblers working their way through the London Loop. They don’t track attendance, but since it’s on public land Kieran guesses that the largest percentage of visitors will be incidental. “It can be a place that people discover. It could completely interrupt your day.” He goes on to explain how they are “trying to engage the community more to help them understand what it is.”
The Winter Sculpture Park field. Photo credit: Dom Cawley
Plans include invitations for local residents and working with local businesses, cafes and pubs to help promote the park. Additional local interest might be generated because eight of the artists in this year’s show are based locally or have ties to the area, and a variety of workshops with the artists will be offered for schools and groups. They are also working with Bexley Collective and Three Rivers to produce events throughout 2023. Their aspiration is impressive, even more so when you know it’s mostly unfunded.
The Winter Sculpture Park has no application fee and the works are not for sale. Donations are accepted, but there’s no revenue model. The event exists solely because Megan and Kieran dedicate an incredibly generous amount of time, which they balance with their jobs and their personal lives as a couple. They began working on this year’s park as soon as the last one ended and “there’s not a day that doesn’t involve a gallery discussion” says Megan, adding that they have learned to set firm boundaries for when they don’t discuss the work. They do it for the love, and they share what they’ve learned.
“We see it as an exchange” says Kieran, referring to the fact that artists are expected to cover their own costs to transport, install and de-install their works, while Gallery No.32 provides a valuable opportunity which is open and accessible. “Anyone can apply. Anyone can come see it. It’s there for everyone.” For the selected artists, ten weeks of exposure to their peers and the public often proves invaluable.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the genuine networking, community-feel & opportunities encouraged and organised by M & K. The connection of like-minded practices led to further exhibitions in Central London facilitated by Gallery No.32. It also led to us being spotted by curators from Stone Lane Garden Sculpture Park in Devon, who then invited us to exhibit.” — Jyoti Bharwani & Ema Mano Epps
Turning to this year’s offering, I ask what guests can expect from the 40 artists that have been selected. With five returning artists and a handful of street artists added to the mix, Megan and Kieran are excited by the dynamic they have witnessed. They’re careful not to give too much away, other than to say there will be a sense of fun in the way they’ve laid out all the works, with some interactive aspects and a few creepy sculptures they hope will provide a surprise.
Plan your visit
Winter Sculpture Park runs from Sat 18 Feb - Sat 29 Apr at Manor Way, Bexley DA5 3QG. Recommended visiting hours 9 AM - 5 PM
There are frequent trains to Bexley from London Bridge (27 min direct) and Charing Cross (37 min direct). Be sure your destination is Bexley and not Bexley Heath.
Visit the Official website for full details, including dates, times and a full list of participating artists.
Visit galleryno32.co.uk and follow @gallery_no.32 on Instagram for more info about Gallery No. 32.