What it Takes to be a Successful Artist & Curator with Garth Gratrix

Ceri interviews Garth Gratrix, a visionary artist, curator, and founder of Abingdon Studios. Garth shares his journey from Blackpool to becoming an internationally recognised artist, discussing his recent solo exhibition "Flamboyant Flamingos" and his experiences in curating groundbreaking shows.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Garth talks about establishing your own space for experimentation and why risk taking is crucial for artists, especially in smaller towns or coastal areas.
• Successful artist-curator relationships are built on clear communication, mutual respect, and understanding one another's needs and ambitions.
• Balancing multiple roles (artist, curator, studio founder) requires careful time management and setting boundaries, something Garth has learnt throughout his career.
• Incorporating personal experiences, such as grief, into artwork can lead to more impactful and authentic creations.
• By presenting bold, ambitious projects to unexpected galleries Garth has been able to create exciting opportunities and collaborations for himself.
• Any artist needs to learn to understand the importance of pace in the art sector, including periods of intense work and necessary downtime.
• Transparency about fees and budgets in the art world is crucial for fostering fairness and supporting emerging artists.
• Building a supportive network and maintaining mental and physical health are essential for long-term success in the arts.

BEST MOMENTS

"I throw all my ideas, all my interest in minimal, abstract and formal work and aesthetics in a scrabble bag, throw it around and then carefully place those letters in some way that reads to relevance, curiosity, gut instinct for me."

"Even when we're asking for pay, it's to embed downtime in that pay. Your day rate is about considering yourself as a business. It's considering that other people have sick pay if they need it."

"I really like working in abundance until I know I have to slow down. It’s talking about pace, thinking about pace, writing about pace as a research subject is about knowing that you have to find the gaps."

"I'm incredibly proud of just setting about doing that off my own back and working with the Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, who then have happily ran forwards into an NPO ambition with this as its summer show opening."

"I just really fucking love installing work. I love being in a gallery and taking the things that have been in my mind and the fabrication of those and putting them in a space and moving them and changing them."

"I really want our listeners to know that actually, there is no shame in saying these things out loud, because I think you are living proof, Garth, of actually articulating your dreams and helping other people to do and to deliver on theirs too."

EPISODE RESOURCES

https://garthgratrix.com/

Instagram: @garth.gratrix

PODCAST HOST BIO

With over 30 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals.

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