Western Canada's art magazine since 2002
7 April 2020 Vol 5 No 7 ISSN 2561-3316 © 2020
From the Editor
Portia Priegert
How are you? In these uncertain times, we’ve all been reaching out to friends and family members, checking in to ask just that question. So much is happening so quickly it can feel overwhelming. Everyone seems vulnerable in some way – not only to the coronavirus, but also to the crushing realities brought by the economic slowdown.
Artists are among the most economically vulnerable workers in the country. Most operate on narrow margins and support themselves through day jobs and the gig economy. Galleries are also vulnerable when disposable income is scarce.
Jerry Saltz, a leading American art critic, recently weighed in, predicting a serious recalibration in the art world. Art will still get made, of course, because artists find creative expression essential. But Saltz suggests current excesses – international art fairs, multi-million dollar sales and the like – will likely be curtailed.
Saltz also predicts hard times ahead for art magazines and the people who write about art. He’s been around a long time, and has witnessed previous contractions, including the 2008 market meltdown that, along with technological advancements and social media, pushed traditional newspapers and magazines into a deepening tailspin.
Galleries West has not been immune to these challenges. Like many other magazines, publisher Tom Tait moved to a uniquely digital model in 2016. But this latest challenge, COVID-19, has undercut us again. As a result, in this issue, you will find three stories instead of the usual six, part of efforts to stretch our resources through this crisis.
What we lack in quantity however, we make up for in quality.
You can read Lissa Robinson’s thoughtful review about Sarah Nordean’s wonderful show at VivianeArt in Calgary. Although the gallery is closed because of the virus, owner Viviane Mehr was one of the first in the West to host a virtual opening.
You can also enjoy Paul Gessell’s story about Vancouver artist Lyle XOX, whose shows have been postponed at both at the Kostuik Gallery in Vancouver and the Swift Current Art Gallery in Saskatchewan. We thought Lyle’s work was so fabulous that we're sharing it now.
This issue's final story, a beautiful piece by Sarah Swan, looks at how artists are coping with anxiety and isolation during the pandemic. It features an eerie photograph of Sarah and her family peering out of their living room in Yellowknife, part of an ongoing pandemic project by photographer Pat Kane. Readers have really connected with Sarah’s writing, already sharing it more than 1,000 times.
That level of interest convinced us there's an appetite for more community news. So we will be launching a new feature that lets artists across the West and the North tell their own stories about how they are faring in this crisis. If you’re interested, please send 300 words or so about your experiences to editor@gallerieswest.ca. We expect start publishing this feature in coming days.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg art teacher Stacey Abramson, one of our regular contributors, will offer advice for parents teaching art at home. Her theme? The importance of joy. We encourage you to share photos of your children’s latest art on Instagram with the hashtag #gallerieswestkidsart. We’ll share some of those images on our Instagram page, @gallerieswest.
Finally, I’m working on a story about how galleries are dashing into digital with virtual openings, talks and tours. We'll also be publishing a list of highlights of timely online fare to help fill your hours at home.
Take care and be well,
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE: Paul Gessell, Lissa Robinson, Sarah Swan