Art in the shopping mall

What are people looking for when they walk into a gallery?
 
In my new part time volunteer role as an invigilator, along with a friend, with GOSSIP artist collective in Stirling I get plenty of opportunity to study and chat to folk.
 
 
This work,”Are you Far away?” by Alex Gardner, a young student at Forth Valley College, always attracts peoples attention and a friend whom we had not seen since pre-Covid days happened to pop in and agreed to be photographed with it.
 
People are looking for different things. This afternoon a young mother with a pram came in and immediately rushed to three large black and white photographs. They were of Alloa harbour, her hometown, and she plans to buy them.
 
Then there was the man, a college lecturer, who had half an hour to spare while his phone was repaired. He had heard of the gallery and came in to see what it was all about.
 
The informality of the place helps  break down the barriers that surround traditional galleries and introduces  art to a new audience.
Long may it continue.
 
We have the premises free – except for the heating bill. And that is a headache on the horizon none of us are looking forward to.