TAG Art Gallery Analysis

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As humans living in an era where we are consistently surrounded by visual imagery, each of us encounter a variety of distinct images on a daily basis. However, we each have very different perceptions and opinions on what actually constitutes as “art”. Essentially, every individual has the ability to form their own meaning or definition of “art”, which is influenced by numerous factors. One major factor in how a viewer interprets an image is dependent on their viewing experience; whether they viewed a reproduction of famous artwork online or visited an art institution to experience it in person. During the 19th century, the concept of art institutions for public viewing purposes became extremely common. Presently, art institutions are surging …show more content…
Catharines. During my visit to the TAG Art Gallery, I was greeted by one of the owners and operators of the gallery, Frank Goldspink. Frank guided me throughout the rooms of the gallery and provided an abundance of information on the history of the TAG Art Gallery, the various types of artworks that were included in their collection, and background information on the artists. Initially, the gallery was owned and operated by Tom and two other individuals who were interested in photography. A few years ago, the two individuals had decided to move onto different endeavours. Consequently, Tom decided to take on the task of operating the gallery with his brother and renamed it; hence the name TAG, which stands for Tom A. Goldspink and is also coincidentally an acronym for “The Art Gallery”. The TAG Art Gallery has always been a commercial gallery, which means that it is a for-profit business that benefits both the business owners and the artists that are displaying their artwork. The purpose of the TAG ART Gallery is to sell original artwork made primarily by Canadian contemporary artists; not only from the Niagara region but from all over the country. Frank referred to their choice of exhibiting artwork as “twisting the prism”; since they want their Niagara audience to reach out of their comfort zones and purchase nonrepresentational art. Hence why the TAG Art Gallery’s …show more content…
Frank showed me various paintings that were made by artists from my hometown and of different landscape paintings that ranged from Niagara Falls to Muskoka lakes. Artists choose to display their artwork at the TAG Art Gallery in order to reach out and become familiar with the Niagara audience. The owner’s do not showcase reproductions of artwork or photographs as they can be easily reproduced, which is connected to the monetary value of artwork. As a commercial based gallery, investing in reproductions or artwork that can be easily reproduced does not benefit the institution profit wise. Despite advertising their art institute online, featuring in magazines, and being active on social media; the TAG Art Gallery still struggles to attract an audience to their gallery. Similarly to any other operating businesses, there is a common connotation that is associated with commercial art galleries; the public will only feel obligated to enter if they are interested in purchasing artwork, not for simple viewing and learning purposes. Additionally, I was the only person visiting the TAG Art Gallery at the time, until another classmate entered the gallery for the purposes of this