In light of the Norman Rea Gallery's recent Ten Year Anniversary exhibition TEN, I interviewed Gallery Director Grace Frazer on her role, her experience overseeing the formulation of the exhibition, and her part in the legacy of the gallery.
In your own words, could you describe your role and responsibilities as director?
"As the director you try to be a leader, encouraging and guiding others. A gallery is a community, one of creativity and professionalism. I wanted to develop these qualities in a University setting.
A director is insignificant without a team, and I have been fortunate to have worked with two amazing committees, where passionate individuals have consolidated their dedication to curation and artistic practice through loyalty and ambition within the Norman Rea Gallery.
If you were to ask this question to every previous director at the Norman Rea Gallery they would have their own spin on what they think a director is. Yet, I am sure each would say that running the Norman Rea Gallery is an immense honour and responsibility.
Being elected by the NRG community to run the gallery, and being part of such a dense history of curatorship, the role is a testament to the uniqueness of this student-run space."
What has been your favourite moment over the past year and a half as director?
"Truthfully, I am not able to choose one particular moment as my favourite. Every time I go into the gallery I’m excited by the space and what exhibition is coming next.
We have faced some challenges over the past few years (which of course haven't been my favourite moments) but working together to overcome these is an incredible experience. One outstanding event was receiving a letter from Norman Rea who had been the provost of Langwith College from 1976-1997 and had innovative views on the importance of the arts within York. It’s appropriate that the gallery is named after him.
His letter recounts how the gallery started and how he wanted to give students the opportunity to “look at paintings as well as listen to music.”
Whilst reading this letter I was comforted by the shared ethos of the founder and how it has been a continuous theme throughout the history of the gallery."
How was your experience being a part the TEN exhibition?
"I feel so fortunate to be part of the gallery committee for its 10th anniversary.
This exhibition has been in the making for a long time, with preparations starting back in January.
We wanted the exhibition to be a time capsule of the last 10 years at the NRG, documenting the incredible range of art that the gallery has encountered. From Simon Crawford’s acrylic-on-canvas “Flip Side”, to Benjamin Brown’s “HAVEANICEDAY” consisting of screen-print on plastic bags.
The exhibition gave viewers the opportunity to appreciate the depth and breadth of art within the gallery. Having contacted as many artists as possible from the past decade, it was incredible that the final exhibition displayed more than 40 artworks. This included works by student-artists currently on campus, Astrid Morkort and Emily Marshall. Both are third year English Literature students who use photography as their medium.
It was important for us as the curators to emphasise and continue the dialogue with creatives within the University of York.
The opening night was filled with excitement, stress and significance. With it being the first exhibition opening for the new committee, we wanted the evening to run as smoothly as possible. With only a few hiccups at the beginning, the exhibition opened with the sounds of Violet Contours welcoming viewers. Almost immediately the gallery space was packed.
It was thrilling to see students engaging with artists, professors chatting with the musicians, Norman Rea Gallery alumni re-entering the space.
I can speak on behalf of the committee when saying we are incredibly proud of this exhibition and would like to thank everyone who contributed. What had been an originally hidden, untouched college room has become a vital space for art and community to collide. Just as Norman Rea had wanted."
The next Norman Rea Gallery Exhibition is "My Home is not my Home" by Dr Joyce Jiang, Tassia Kobylinska, and The Voice of Domestic Workers
The exhibition runs 4th-12th November with a preview night 4th November 6-9pm.
Photos by Photos by Morgan Simpson and Liuka Jonynaite
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