Last week, I went back to being an intern. Voluntarily.
I offered to help Laura Grinberga at her Artist Salon in central London. My brief was simple: welcome visitors, look after the artwork and generally make myself useful. I went because I wanted to help, but also because I was curious.
Well, consider me thoroughly schooled!
First, the sheer amount of work involved in putting on a two-day exhibition. Finding a space, transporting and installing the art, getting people through the door, photographing, filming, hosting, then packing it all away. Exhausting just thinking about it.
But the real eye-opener was watching Laura talk about her work. Again, again and again. Each conversation slightly different, each delivered with the same energy, passion and conviction, revealing something new about her work every time.
And then came the uncomfortable realisation.
In my corporate career, I learnt how to build narratives and pitch ideas. I did it day in, day out, for decades. Yet ask me to talk about my own paintings with that same conviction and suddenly I'm a beginner again.
I have some homework to do.
Thank you, Laura, for the unexpected masterclass!