Visiting art galleries in a socially-distanced world – a guilty pleasure

With thanks to our Director Andrew, who has written this fascinating account of visiting art galleries during this socially-distanced time, and why we need to support our galleries now more than ever.

When London’s iconic art galleries were allowed to reopen in July, a world of treasures was unleashed on a very different world. With the UK’s institutions more reliant on self-generated funds (ticket sales, merchandise and catering) than their European counterparts, the pandemic has left a wake of redundancies and scaled-back activities. Social distancing has taken its toll, with visitor numbers reduced to ensure a safe visit.

The ‘guilty pleasure’ I refer to is, ironically, that very result. The restricted numbers allowed in has meant a luxurious and scrum-free visit, devoid of the usual hordes. There has been no better time to visit London’s wealth of displayed art; all collections, be they permanent or temporary. My first tentative steps into an art gallery earlier this year was Gauguin and the Impressionists at the Royal Academy (a literal stone’s throw from 9 Hertford Street). Sixty works from Denmark’s Ordrupgaard Collection, by painters such as Manet, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Morisot, Degas and Gauguin, many seen for the first time in London, were installed in the RA’s lofty rooms. It felt like visiting someone’s house, albeit rather grand, and viewing an exceptional collection with a small group of friends.

I’m a Trustee of The Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden, about 40 miles north of London, a seasonal gallery mainly displaying the works of local 20th century artists who have achieved national recognition. We were due to open in April; that was postponed until August and then forced to close the doors again last month. Although this current lockdown is only scheduled for a month, our season would have closed anyway in November, so we hope to reopen in April 2021. With no government funding, our income is mainly from an annual sale of paintings; living artists on whose sales we receive commission. That too had to be cancelled. We had to limit numbers to 10 every hour – again, a great experience for our visitors, but not so much for us. Fewer people mean fewer sales of books, postcards and the donation box remained woefully low.

Next time you are staying in London, make sure you visit one of London’s galleries, or even travel outside to visit one of the many regional galleries, and buy tickets, spend your money in the café and the bookshop. We will all need help to survive going forward and a little from many can help us all achieve that.

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