The Day Job

  • Chris Bayley
  • Siân Landau
An exhibition of emerging contemporary artists showcasing an eclectic breadth of work constructed around their day job; Gallery Assistant.

The role of a gallery assistant is particularly elusive, however it is key to a visitor’s engagement and experience with not only the art on display, but also the institution they are in. With the role of a gallery invigilator expanding, gallery assistants are able to develop unique relationships with the artworks on display, due to being with them for an extended period of time. With an almost ‘don’t speak unless spoken to’ manner, the gallery assistant is able to prompt an interesting dialogue between themselves and the visitor, often leading to a discussion of the gallery assistants own practice, satisfying the visitors curiosity.

Acting as a critical engagement with institutions and the pivotal role of the gallery assistant, The Day Job will be exhibiting the works of artists that are currently employed at The Serpentine Galleries in Kensington Gardens, London. Spanning a wide range of mediums from sculpture, painting and photography, The Day Job acts as a platform, supporting new contemporary artists.

The Day Job is a self initiated curatorial project for my Major Project in MA Museum and Gallery
Studies. It will be accompanied by an illustrated catalogue, including interviews, gallery ephemera
and a broader insight into the artists and the works exhibited.

Artists exhibiting; Leah Clements, Mike Ditchburn, Melissa Fielding, Jamie Fitzpatrick, Tommie Introna, Priscila Fiszman, Seamus Gough, Melody Grossman, Adam Holdway, Owen Lacey, Siân Landau, Jill McKnight, George Morris, Luke Nairn, Maxwell Rushton, Isabelle Southwood.