BUFFER 2

BUFFER

noun

       1. a person or thing that reduces a shock or that forms a barrier between incompatible or antagonistic people or things.

Guts Gallery is excited to present BUFFER 2, a yearly group show consisting exclusively of recent graduates from arts universities in the UK.

BUFFER 2 intends to open up a constructive dialogue with young, post-graduate artists just getting their start in the art world. By bringing these artists together in one space, Guts hopes to foster a new generation of artists; a generation that can navigate the art world with confidence and autonomy.

Guts believes that the traditional education system is failing artists: how can artists be expected to grow and develop within the art world if they are not taught anything about the business of art. In the year since the first BUFFER exhibition at Guts Gallery HQ, arts universities have only applied more pressure on their students. Throughout the country courses are overfilled, support for students is deteriorating and studio space is dwindling too.

This year, to try and make up for the areas where arts universities fail, Guts Gallery is expanding its reach and offering a free, RSVP-only workshop during the exhibition’s duration. In this workshop, Guts Gallery will bring together financial support and established artists who will be able to give their first hand experience and impart their understanding of the essential skills required to navigate the art world and thrive as an artist.

Yet again, BUFFER 2 is a callout to collectors to invest in young, emerging artists. It is another reminder to nurture exciting talent and potential in its early stages, to broaden and diversify collections and build meaningful, supportive relationships with artists at the beginning of their careers.

A year later, Guts sees that many artists are still exploited because they lack knowledge about the business side of art. By providing a yearly platform for recently graduated artists Guts seeks to create an art world in which artists can thrive by knowing their own value and having the confidence to build fair and equitable relationships with galleries that reflect this value.