Presenting a Portfolio to a Gallery

[logan2z]

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]

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.

 

[logan2z]

Mount and stick window mats on some of your favourites. Use the thicker matte 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.

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.

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.

Good advice.

 

[MattKing]

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.

 

[logan2z]

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

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

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.

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]

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.

 

[Pieter12]

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

 

[logan2z]

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

View attachment 371893

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]

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]

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

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]

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]

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]

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.

Including gloves indicates you value your work.

 

[Pieter12]

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

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]

If you intend to exhi

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.

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]

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

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]

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]

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

 

[Pieter12]

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

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

 

[logan2z]

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]

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

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

 

[logan2z]

I'd suggest taking along a specially attired assistant. How about?:
View attachment 371935

Now that would be one way to stand out from the crowd

 

[logan2z]

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

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

 

[Pieter12]

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

Best of luck with your presentation.

 

[GregY]

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.

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.