Curating For The Scared & Confused

Curate. The word itself can evoke a feeling of intimidation—it sounds so professional and technical. Images of lofty museums housing invaluable works, stark white-walled and brightly lit galleries, and people who call their glasses “spectacles” might come to mind. But fear not: you, too, can curate. Read on and discover why you should…

Your space—home or office—influences your being. If given a choice, who would choose a sterile-looking room with fluorescent lights over a room that looks warm and soft? Our brains recognize when something seems out of place or not just right. We can sense when, lets say, that new watercolor painting is placed well vs. when it is not. With so much other “not right” in the world that is not within our control, we can, at least, let our brains experience the flow that results from curating our own aesthetically-pleasing spaces. Plus: just like for the professional curator, personal curation allows you to tell whatever story you want to tell. Maybe the story is that you love nature and natural landscapes, or maybe that you prefer the real over the dreamy, or that you’re a statement-maker… the choice is yours.

So—what even is a curator? Traditionally, a curator is a person with a knowledge of art who is responsible for assembling, managing, and presenting a collection. He or she makes decisions about what to show and how to show it, creating a story through the placement of each piece that comprises the collection. Fundamentally, curation is the art of choosing with intention. Now, sometimes a degree can help one with this process—but, really, all you need is a vision, some patience, and the tips we’re sharing here. An extra set of hands and good music are optional—but highly recommended!

So, on with the practical tips! We’re sharing seven:

1. Start with what you love. Art is personal, and we firmly believe that you should only add pieces to your collection that you really love (or that remind you of something or someone you love). Why have artwork in your own space if you don’t love it?

2. Matchy-matchy is out. Let yourself be bold—choose what you love, and let it come together. This can seem like it’s impossible, but we can assure you from repeated experience— if you have the will, you will find the way. Consider framing the works similarly (same color frame, etc.) if you’re intimated, or if you’re going for a more cohesive and less eclectic look.

3. Think about a theme. Your theme can be an emotion, a subject, a time, a color, etc. Let your theme help guide your decision-making.

4. Location, location, location! Consider your space—a tall and narrow wall may call for a thin 3-dimensional sculpture, and a large wall may invite the creation of a gallery wall with works of art all shapes and sizes. Or, maybe the tall and narrow wall calls for five small paintings placed in a row; maybe the large wall invites a single, show-stopping work. There may be many ways to curate a single space, but what works for one space might very well not work for another.

5. Let the work tell you where it wants to be. Hopefully it doesn’t tell you audibly. If it does, consider getting some sleep and continuing the process of curating tomorrow. But, seriously—consider the size, the perspective, the subject, etc. A painting of flowers on a table? Keep it close to table height. A photograph looking up at the Adirondack mountains? Place it higher than eye-level. You get the gist…

6. Know thy audience. Who is the work for? Who will see it? If you’re curating an office space, consider if the work is appropriate for your clientele. Maybe don’t hang that very interesting but very morbid piece in your natural healing center. Hang it in your home where you’ll see it often instead! Art creates a mood… so choose art that fits the mood you’re trying to elicit in your space.

7. Don’t forget the lighting! The right lighting makes all the difference. Choose warm and clear lighting to put the focus on your artwork and do it justice. This may be the last tip, but it is certainly not the least!

The Blooming Artist is, also, happy to assist with your art curation needs. Contact us to book a consultation!