A fabulous thing happened during the Corona Virus global pandemic, a positive phenomenon out of those dark moments. As people shuttered themselves in and hunkered down, innovation and creativity seemed to flourish. In true Dickensian fashion, “…it was the best of times, it was the worse of times”, artists were producing wonderful pieces of art and showcasing it on social media, while art galleries struggled to keep their doors open.
It was in this environment that the Piano Craft Art Gallery in Boston began an innovative way to exhibit art, by using the hashtag #SocialDistancingGallery they turned their website and social media platforms into a virtual art gallery! In this way, they stayed relevant, while adhering to the state’s strict protocols. And then they added a brilliant open call for art submissions. And I know that’s not the way things are normally done, but during these strange days, it was quite do-able.
I stumbled upon their call on Instagram and I sent it to an artist in Norway who I followed. He was a magnificent artist who declined the opportunity, because the Corona Virus had shuttered his village, his bitter reply was the “horror of globalization”. And it stunned me, because I really didn’t know him, cloaked by the anonymity that the web provides us, but we were ‘internet and his words stung me. Because for me, no matter how bad Corona Virus may become, I would never trade away my global community.
That afternoon, without expectation I submitted my own painting. I was shocked, completely gobsmacked when I received an acceptance. And while it all seemed like luck, is anything really by chance? What if I was guided and then pushed to submit my art to @artpcgBoston ? A BLAM!!! Here I am writing a blog, on a webpage that I just created and wait… what? A webpage? Yikes! My art is included in an art exhibition!!!
People ask me, why do I call my work Intuitive Art? I’m unabashed in my reply, I’ve so much respect and admiration for artists who have studied and learnt from the masters. But the fact of the matter is that I have no classical training in art. I don’t hold any certificates in art. I don’t have a degree in Art History and I haven’t visited the Lourve in Paris. So my brush strokes come from a base, emotional place within me. The result is I paint what I feel intuitively.
So, that brings me to the part of the conversation, when I invite you to visit the gallery in Boston or check out the virtual gallery online. Covid-19 may have turned the world topsy-turvy, but we’re not disconnected, I can see you. And I like what I see. Go and if you can, buy something and support art. Chances are, like me, you’re gonna like something that you see.
Piano Craft Art Gallery Sept 4 – 27th
793 Tremont Street, Boston
Fridays 6pm – 8pm
Saturdays 12pm – 5pm
Sundays 12pm -5pm
DaNice D Marshall TechnyGalleries 