The exhibition no one saw – artists speak on coping with closures

With so many exhibitions cancelled, ArtsHub spoke to artists about the knock-on effects of gallery closures, and the toll it's taking on their careers (and bank balances).
Ben Quilty The Beach, installation view Tolano Galleries, 2021.

Digital artist Deborah Kelly put her hand up for six; painter Ben Quilty put his hand up for two. For glass artist Brenden Scott French it was zero, and it’s looking the same for ceramicist Honor Freeman. These are the number of days these artists’ works were shown, before their exhibitions closed due to lockdowns.

For Caroline Rothwell the magic number was five – but that’s not five days, that’s five exhibitions.

Unlock Padlock Icon

Unlock this content?

Access this content and more

Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW. Instagram: fairleygina