Conversation with Mollie Barnes
Curator, Writer & Arts Host
Which art exhibition/event/artist are you looking forward to the most post lockdown?
Such a wonderful question, full of hope and excitement for what is to come. This is such an easy one for me to answer as this is an exhibition I have been looking forward to for so long: The National Gallery featuring Artemisia Gentileschi! Her piece, ’Self Portrait as a Lute Player’ is one of my all time favourites, and an all time great. It is wonderful (and about time!!) that these solo shows are produced for women artists. It is what we need to keep working for.
This will be a high point of the year when I get to the National Gallery to see the show. I think I will be awe struck.
Have you launched any online initiatives?
5 days into lockdown I began feeling the sadness of the situation we were all facing. That is when I launched my account She Curates ( @she_curates_ ) featuring my favourite practicing women artists and documenting my day to day work as a Curator. I had no idea that a few months in that I would receive the response I have! It has been a real testimony to the love and support of strangers at this time.
Through this initiative I am curating exhibitions over the country next year, have interviewed 300+ women artists and am working to give them a platform every day. I am also launching some VERY exciting initiatives to further support them soon. Updates will be coming to @she_curates_ very soon!
I have spoken to artists and art professionals I would never have dreamed of messaging at the start of the year. I hope everyone finds the She Curates initiate very helpful, and a great, safe community.
Thank you everyone for all of your support, including everyone at AWITA!
Have there been any books that you have read during this period that you would recommend to the rest of our membership base?
Anything by Polly Samson! She is my absolute hero and one of the kindest people I have ever met when we shared a drink in a pub in the country.
Her writing is a true escape, enveloping you in different places, different stories. Perfect for those days you just need a break!