TheGallery
Celebrating 25 years of art and innovation: An interview with Violet McClean, Head Curator of TheGallery at Arts University Bournemouth.
Hi Violet! Can you share with us some of the highlights of TheGallery's 25-year journey?
TheGallery was created in 1998 which was when I was employed part time as an Exhibitions Officer. I’m an AUB alumnus from our BA (Hons) Events Management course and this job offer followed my final major project where myself and two other students curated a staff exhibition.
At TheGallery, we believe that art should be accessible, inclusive, and open to all, which brings me to some of my highlights over the last 25 years…
We started out as only one wall and have flourished into an award-winning and internationally recognised gallery with three permanent exhibition spaces on site as well as multiple pop up spaces and off-site projects and events. Seeing TheGallery grow and being able to work with national and international artists and designers is something I am very proud of. We’ve had the pleasure of exhibiting work by designer Morag Myerscough, Professor Shawn Naphtali Sobers, Zaha Hadid Architects, photographer Philip Townsend, and Professor Sir Peter Cooke, renowned architect and AUB alumnus who also designed the University's Drawing Studio, the first purpose-built drawing studio in the UK for over 100 years. We also worked with National Museums Scotland, bringing their exhibition Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk to the University and local region. Our diverse exhibition and events programme has brought so much creative inspiration to the region and has given students, staff and the public a wealth of access to the arts.
Another highlight was launching our Schools and Education Programme in 2010. At TheGallery, we believe that learning does not just take place in the classroom, it happens everywhere, which is why we offer an engaging programme free of charge to local schools. We offer young people the unique opportunity to engage with original artworks in a gallery setting, some of whom may not normally get to visit creative institutions. This programme allows young learners to visit a professional gallery, get inspired by the artwork, and tap into their own creativity through the activities that are offered.
The final highlight I want to mention is TheGallery's intern and volunteer programme. I set it up as a way of giving back and we have hosted and mentored hundreds of students, many of which are now working in some the world's most established art institutions, including Tate Modern, National Trust, White Chapel, British Museum, Hauser & Wirth, and of course TheGallery here at AUB. I want to thank them all personally and professionally as without their commitment, long hours and hard work TheGallery would not be this far in its journey.
Could you elaborate on some of the most impactful partnerships and collaborations TheGallery has engaged in over the years?
Collaboration is at the heart of the arts and creative industries and we are no different. We have worked with a huge variety of creative organisations, forging important links with arts organisations including Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, GIANT Gallery, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Arts Council England, The Trinity Buoy Wharf Trust and Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival.
Collaborating with so many local creative organisations gives AUB students the opportunity to get involved with industry professionals, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and build their own networks through the partnerships we nurture.
We also believe in collaborating internally within the University. We want to showcase how many creative disciplines and practices exist within AUB so collaborate across courses on all of our projects. For example, we regularly work with BA (Hons) Events Management, bring in BA (Hons) Graphic Design and BA (Hons) Visual Communication students to design project branding, work with BA (Hons) Photography students to document our events, and for our 25 Years showcase we have asked a BA (Hons) Dance alumnus to produce a contemporary dance piece in response to a piece of text being read by a third year BA (Hons) Acting student. These collaborations provide invaluable insight to students on what it is like working at industry level, as well as giving them opportunities to hone their practice and develop their portfolio, ready for when they embark on creative careers after graduation.
"McKeever's Against Architecture" is a part of the 25th-anniversary exhibition showcase. Could you tell us more about this exhibition and its significance?
In 2003, we developed text+work, a concept that underpins TheGallery’s exhibition programme by promoting challenging dialogue between contemporary art, design and media practice and its theoretical context. It provides a platform for practitioners, writers and curators who wish to examine the boundaries between contemporary practice and critical discourse, and a text is published to accompany each exhibition in our main programme.
Ian McKeever launched our text+work programme back in 2004 with his exhibition Four Quartet Series alongside David Miller, so felt very apt to welcome him back to mark TheGallery’s 25 years - a huge milestone for us and the University. Ian was made an honourary fellow of AUB in 2002 and is a friend of the university, sharing his knowledge with our students and community. He exhibits all over the world and can be classed as art royalty, yet he is giving back to this community!
Ian himself has said “amazing to think TheGallery Programme has been running for 25 years, quite something, honoured to be a part of the celebrations”.
What drives you as a creative professional?
When I was at university, I didn’t have a Gallery. I didn't even have art when I was at school, but I found a way to educate myself. After that I made a promise to myself that if I was ever in a position in the art world, I would give back and dedicate my life in service to the arts.
I also have my own art heroes whom I have to pay tribute to. They helped me to believe that I can achieve anything I put my mind to and showed me the importance of giving back. This is one of the reasons we set up TheGallery's support page as part of our 25 Year celebrations, so others can be the heroes of TheGallery for the next 25 years and beyond.
Website → aub.ac.uk/campus/thegallery
Instagram → @thegallery_aub
