Feature Gallery Hitched

The idea of a solitary artist working in isolation is more myth than reality. Most artists, even those who seem to pursue solitary practices, rely on personal connections and social networks for both creative stimulation and audience feed-back. And spouses, often unacknowledged, play a key role in many aspects of studio practice and career success.

This exhibition explores the phenomenon of couples who work together in fine craft. Some have separate and parallel careers in different media. Others work side by side in the same media. Some work simultaneously on the same pieces while others wouldn’t think of touching each other’s work. Some couples share studio spaces and equipment. Others separate their work spaces and simply discuss their work over breakfast. Some exchange ideas continuously while others can’t agree on what music to play. Some travel together to market their work, some co-teach, others simply help with menial tasks such as lifting. Some share other duties or projects ranging from co-writing proposals to sharing volunteer duties for their favourite arts organizations. Some even met at art school and carried on from there. Whatever the practical considerations, these couples are also often each other’s best or worst critics, offering ideas, analysis, emotional encouragement or financial support. And statistically couples working together are more than twice as likely as individual artists to generate successful incomes and to attract acclaim.

The craft artists selected for this exhibition have a wide range of interesting experiences and observations about their practices, their personal and working relationships, their studios, their businesses, and their creative work. In particular they have interesting ideas about the challenges, opportunities and highlights of being working couples.