Souls & Crows – Judy Logan – Solo Exhibition – Tenby Museum & Art Gallery
It’s taken me time to reflect on my solo exhibition last year in the enchanting town of Tenby, South Wales. The show was the culmination of three years hard work and planning, involving collaborations with three different museum managers. The experience exceeded all my expectations.
Recently, I was asked a profound question: “What were your pre-Tenby show gifts?” This was swiftly followed by “What were your post-Tenby show gifts?” These questions made me pause and reflect deeply on the journey and the treasures I’d gathered along the way.
Top 3 Gifts Pre-Tenby Exhibition
1. Working Under Pressure
The exhibition, initially delayed due to lockdown, was suddenly rescheduled to 2023. The new manager suggested moving my solo show forward by a year due to a prime-time exhibition window suddenly becoming available, to which I happily agreed. This accelerated timeline meant I had to immediately step-up my work plans. My studio practice became the central focus of my life, necessitating the cancellation of holiday and social plans. Working five to six days a week afforded me the freedom to focus on my work, its at this point I give a shout out of thanks to a very supportive husband.
2. Navigating the Solo Show Process
The departure of the museum manager with whom I’d been working for about three years was a significant blow. The interim manager, after extensive collaboration, also left, leaving me without a point of contact until one month before the shop opened. Fortunately, my years of experience in an artist co-operative and at the Royal Academy of Arts came to the rescue. Despite the stress, everything fell into place with the new manager’s help. The exhibition garnered excellent press coverage, the events were well-attended, and a vibrant digital promotion strategy was swiftly implimented . This experience, though challenging, taught me resilience and gave me a profound appreciation for the behind-the-scenes efforts of gallery staff.
3. Creating Under a Tight Deadline: Meeting the tight deadline for my exhibition was an intense yet rewarding experience. I produced 25 paintings and eight limited edition framed etchings and nothing left the studio unless I was 100% happy with it. Some paintings seemed to come together effortlessly, while others demanded more time and energy. The biggest lesson was the drying time required for oil paintings, this lead me to switch to acrylics as deadlines loomed.
Top 3 Gifts Post-Tenby Exhibition
1. A New Body Of Work
The primary gift from the exhibition was a collection of paintings I’m proud of and which are ready for group shows planned in 2024 and 2025. This new body of work also provides a solid portfolio for approaching galleries.
2. The Power of Art The museum staff shared a common passion for making art accessible to as many people as possible. A deeply touching encounter with a Ukrainian refugee, who found solace in my painting “Soul Mates,” highlighted the profound impact art can have. Her story, and the realization that art can bring comfort and connection, reaffirmed my commitment to my artistic vision.
3. The Entire Museum Experience
The exhibition was a milestone in my career, filled with enriching experiences. I conducted video interviews, meet-the-artist talks and a workshop for children and adults. I met incredible people, received heartfelt feedback, and enjoyed the serene beauty of Tenby’s beaches. It was an honour to exhibit at the Tenby Museum & Art Gallery, marking a significant professional achievement.
Reflecting on these gifts, I am reminded of the joy and privilege of being an artist. The journey of creating and sharing my work continues to be profoundly fulfilling.
