Hang them high

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see…”

Edward Degas

The Paris Salon, the New York Armoury, the London Royal Academy Exhibition and the Vienna Kunstlerhaus were legendary art exhibitions of the 19th century. In reality they were more about competition than exhibition. Artists fought tooth and nail to have their work excepted. Journalists of the time covered the associated controversies, opinions and rivalry much as they do the AFL season in 2026. The exhibition spaces were packed wall to wall and floor to ceiling with artworks. In fact this became a crucial issue for artists. Popular rooms and being displayed at visitor eye level, was an indication that organisers thought that a piece (or artist) was of exceptional merit or interest. An unofficial, but not unnoticed judgement. Artists were often angry and indignant at such slights. JWM Turner spent many evenings at the Royal Academy Exhibitions moving his works around, to ensure the proper flow of the exhibition. My pieces at the current Herring Island Art Exhibition in Melbourne have a mixed position. They are prominently near the front of the exhibition space. but high on the wall above the ticket counter. Not to worry this is no judgement, a careful perusal of the exhibition catalogue show all works are strictly in artist surname alphabetical order. #nextyearallanwalsh #letsmakelemonade