I’ve curated a lot of shows but my next curation role at the Workers Gallery in South Wales is already troubling me and the deadline for submissions is not even over yet.

I have a background in research that explores death, dying and ‘disposal’ so I thought I was prepared for the content I would be reviewing for the forthcoming ‘Taboo’ exhibition exploring difficult or challenging issues.

I wasn’t – but I’m trying to be.

My focus was on protecting the public from inadvertently coming across work they would prefer and hope not to see. I have been to shows with signs on the doors explicitly saying that behind them was work that could be unsuitable for viewing by children or that could be upsetting for some people. On entering I would see it as almost a challenge to seek out the potentially ‘disturbing’ content. I always found myself almost disappointed that the work was not ‘that’ disturbing. That in itself I find personally disturbing to think that I would do that. Yet I have also come across quite disturbing images within exhibitions that gave me no warning at all, which made me angry.

I guess as a curator I am looking at this as an issue of assisting ‘informed consent’. Personally I once saw the result of a quite horrific motorcycle accident. So upsetting was it that I never look across at any road collision whilst I am out driving, out of dread and fear of seeing something profoundly upsetting. Yet it was only by seeing the worst image – far worse than I had ever conceived possible, that I truly understood what I could be potentially exposing myself to. I had already ‘suffered’ and I did not want to see ‘that’ again.  The experience did not desensitize me – it sensitized me. It changed me.

So I am anxious to help visitors to the Taboo show make an informed choice about what they decide to view. The responsibility to protect others comes from a personal experience, which in turn also makes me feel protective of the exhibiting artists who want their work to be seen to get a message or issue across- that is important to them. I understand that their work could have great power and affect the viewer profoundly – for good or bad.

I thought it would be hard to curate a show like this – just not this hard. I feel a great sense of responsibility and wonder how others tackle such issues.


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