The Unsold Collection
When I look to the mezzanine of my studio I see 15 custom made boxes protecting 15 vibrant artworks, stored carefully overhead in my studio, for a moment I am sad and questioning my own ability as an artist, but then I am reassured, because I followed my heart.
It takes some strength to admit this, but the major artworks in my 2025 exhibition have not sold.
One year later and not 1 of the 15 beautifully, lovingly created artworks have found a home. It has being playing on my mind for sometime.
I held my “Be Treatwise” exhibition at The Collie Art Gallery, when I put my marketing hat on, I know that this is not the location that best suits my demographic. I knowingly proceeded with creating a collection that were unlikely to sell. Choosing to create large scale lolly bags to hang in a regional art gallery during a cost of living crisis.
For what crazy, anxiety provoking reason did I commit.
Growing up in this small town, that I no longer reside, something was missing from my childhood. A creative outlet!
The gallery having only been established in 2015, I had to support it, not for the adult me ( I can deal with that in another 20 years) but for the little girl, the teenager who didn’t have the opportunities.
Holding this exhibition, my first solo show and entering the Collie Art Prize (every year) is my way to encourage growth and support arts and culture in an otherwise isolated regional town. To share and to encourage growth in a sector that was otherwise missing from my childhood, that seemingly did not exist when I was growing up.
The opening had the most incredible turn out, I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback throughout the show. The artwork looked mind blowing on the walls.
The gallery is modern exhibition space.
But the community isn’t really into my bright modern pop art. And. That IS OK.
So here I am selling, shipping work internationally and I have this collection, that has not sold. Did I make this decision to the detriminet to my own art career?
Am I embarrassed, left questioning if anyone even likes it? Do I feel like a failure? YES! The demons in my head do take over occasionally, and fatigue certainly sets in when resharing the same paintings on social media and in emails.
My ‘demographic’ hasn’t seen this body of work in the flesh. Will I swallow my pride, and approach a gallery in a more market appropriate location? Or will the collection just hover above my head for years to come. Only time will tell.
There is a belief that I must hold onto, these paintings that are incredible will find the right home. The thing with art, is that it lasts a lifetime, these paintings are unique, they are vibrant, one of a kind pop art and they will find their special home, when the time is right.
The little girl inside is at peace knowing I am doing my part to fix a much greater societal issue, Now when I look up, I know that I followed my heart.
To view the collection, you can check it out here.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about the collection or any individual artworks, send through an email as I am always more than happy to chat art.
