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Presenting a Portfolio to a Gallery

logan2z

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I have a possible exhibition opportunity at a local gallery and have been asked to bring in some prints to show the gallery owner. I obviously want to put my best foot forward and present the prints in the most professional way. I can simply put the loose prints in a portfolio box but I don't think that would be terribly impressive. Showing finished framed/matted prints would be ideal but that could prove awkward for 10+ prints. Short of framed/matted prints, can anyone suggest a way to present the portfolio in a professional manner that would still be practical when hand carrying the prints to the gallery?
 

Andrew O'Neill

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Mount and stick window mats on some of your favourites. Use the thicker mat boards for the windows, as they look WAY better than the thinner ones. Slip inside plastic sleeves (I get mine from local art store). Make sure all mounted on same size boards. They can then be slipped inside a portfolio box, or carrying case. I always showed 10. NEVER leave them there for curator to go over. I've done that, and some prints magically disappeared when I went back to get them.
 
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logan2z

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Thanks Andrew. I thought about matting the prints but I recall carrying twenty such prints about ten blocks to a critique before and they were surprisingly heavy. But ten matted prints should be manageable and the gallery has on-site parking.

Andrew O'Neill said:
NEVER leave them there for curator to go over. I've done that, and some prints magically disappeared when I went back to get them.
Click to expand...

Good advice.
 

MattKing

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The mats "frame" the image the way you want them displayed, and make it easy and convenient to safely handle the prints.
For this purpose only, you may wish to include information like photographer's name, identifying title and any other important identifying information (e.g. that the print is part of a specific series) on the front of the mat. This makes it easier for a curator to evaluate and identify the images as part of a whole, which is very important when considering a gallery presentation.
 
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logan2z

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MattKing said:
The mats "frame" the image the way you want them displayed, and make it easy and convenient to safely handle the prints.
Click to expand...

Right. I'm always surprised how much better my prints look when I put them in a mat to evaluate them.


Thanks. I would normally include that information on the back of the mat or frame, but putting it on the front in this case might be a good idea.
 

MTGseattle

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Really good answers so far. I have one portfolio of old images matted and stored in this manner. All window matted to 16x20, I have interleaving? tissue protecting each image. Stored in one of the black archival boxes. I have heard some folks say to pull the interleaving tissue prior to presentation and others say leave it there.

What about a simple, concise artist statement included with the portfolio? 2-3 paragraphs.
 
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logan2z

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Pieter12 said:
No plastic sleeves. Matted prints in a clamshell portfolio box. You can even include cotton gloves.

View attachment 371893
Click to expand...

That looks great. The perfect middle ground between loose and framed/matted prints.

I thought about including gloves but wasn't sure if it would come off as pretentious. But I suppose it wouldn't seem that way to a curator/gallerist.
 

Patrick Robert James

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Mat a few and put them in a portfolio box, then have another small box with more. Matting dozens of prints will just be a pain for you.

There is no real right answer though. Some people like plain ol' prints. If the gallerist is experienced and your work is good it won't really matter.
 

Arthurwg

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Pieter12 said:
No plastic sleeves. Matted prints in a clamshell portfolio box. You can even include cotton gloves.
Click to expand...

Nice prints. I notice that you've left a white boarder showing under the Matt. Is this preferable, or simply a matter of taste?
 

Carnie Bob

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For sure you want to show the Gallerist a fully framed image as you want to show in Gallery setting. Then I would want to see 10 -12 smaller prints of the same series that
you are wanting to show. I would like to see them matted in a portfolio box, but would accept prints with decent borders so they can be handled in a portfolio box.

An Artist Statement, and Bio is usually expected, and a online place where they can see more of your work if its to be a bigger presentation.

Taking in all framed prints is not a good idea for a few practical reasons.

Bob
 

MattKing

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If you do a lot of this, and tend to print to the same image size, there are ways of making re-usable mats.
But if you re-use them, the mats can tend to show minor signs of use - decide yourself whether that affect on your presentation is a problem.
And by the way, I think it is "mats", not "matts". You can probably guess why that might matter to me !
 

Pieter12

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logan2z said:
That looks great. The perfect middle ground between loose and framed/matted prints.

I thought about including gloves but wasn't sure if it would come off as pretentious. But I suppose it wouldn't seem that way to a curator/gallerist.
Click to expand...
Including gloves indicates you value your work.
 

Pieter12

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Arthurwg said:
Nice prints. I notice that you've left a white boarder showing under the Matt. Is this preferable, or simply a matter of taste?
Click to expand...
A matter of taste. I make primarily square prints and try to make sure all my prints are the same dimensions and perfectly square. Centering the image in the mat can be challenging, but I like the look. You can also trim the prints, dry-mount them and leave the backing board showing for the same effect.
 

Pieter12

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If you intend to exhi

bit the photos, you will have to mat them anyway, so why not put the best presentation forward? The gallerist will appreciate the effort.
 

Don_ih

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MattKing said:
And by the way, I think it is "mats", not "matts". You can probably guess why that might matter to me
Click to expand...

You can pay for a mat cutter and end up with a decice, or you can pay for a Matt cutter and end up in jail....
 

MTGseattle

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The clamshell box @Pieter12 shows is way more professional looking than the box mine are in. I would definitely recommend something like that.

I think there are a couple of other threads devoted to actual window size/style. I personally like the slight (no more than 1/4") bit of paper showing but it's a pretty subjective choice.

I found my Logan mat cutter at a goodwill store for $15. It's still one of my better thrift store finds.
 

Arthurwg

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The old Century clamshell boxes were wonderful.. Don't think they are available anymore.
 
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logan2z

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Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I'm going to go with the portfolio box and a set of matted prints - and gloves
 

MattKing

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logan2z said:
Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions. I'm going to go with the portfolio box and a set of matted prints - and gloves
Click to expand...

I'd suggest taking along a specially attired assistant. How about?:


 
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logan2z

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Pieter12 said:
Not inexpensive, but Archival Methods Onyx Portfolio Box is my go-to. They usually have some seconds and occasionally have a sale.
Click to expand...

I just bought one. It was fairly expensive, but it looks great and was well worth the money IMO.
 

GregY

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The mat cutter is the inexpensive part.... cutting perfect mats, that costs a lot of practice time & money. Nothing looks worse than poorly cut window mats. If I didn't mount & mat my own, I'd pay for professionally cut mats if you're looking to have your work accepted for an exhibition.
 
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