I believe that is a very important question you're ending this essay with. I hope the answer is yes. Exhibitions are great fun is my experience. Selling works is amazing and helps financing the whole thing, but enjoying the work poured into it & the visitor's reactions make it worthwhile.
I really resonate with this essay. I have done about five exhibitions now and somehow I have similar feelings towards the end and after taking my work off of the walls.
It’s important to reflect back to the real meaning behind why you got into this in the first place. It’s usually because of the love of the art.
Thank you so much for your comment, Preston. It means a lot hearing this from someone who has experienced the same thing.
I think exhibitions pull us into expectations and outcomes, but in the end the real value is simply the love of making and seeing. The show disappears, but the relationship with photography remains.
Davor, I love your work my friend. It’s hard for me to digest the fact that people were asking, “What’s that?…or whatever they said. I look at your work and with my crazy imagination, see all kinds of things. (I believe you know that is true) I f I were well off, there’s no way I would hesitate to purchase a photo from you. I’m happy you picked up your camera and got back out there. You’re a great talent, an innovator, and you shine✨
Thank you, Jo-Ann. Such a beautiful comment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will definitely keep going in the direction that inspires me the most.
It seems to me that there was a lot competing with your work: First of all, it's a cafe, so people's attention is on their coffee and whomever they're having coffee with. Secondly, the color scheme of the walls and the furniture are not conducive to highlighting or supporting the kind of work that your photographs are. It's good that they had spotlights on the work, and the place looks nice. But, ideally your work should be exhibited in a gallery. It certainly deserves to be.
Thank you, Brooks. I think you’re right. A cafe space brings warmth and accessibility, but it also competes with the work in many ways. I also feel the work is asking for a more focused gallery setting eventually.
I love this essay, Davor. It's descriptive, it sets the facts down and allows the reader to interpret them as they will (surely, just as your photographs did). You have questions. That's a fact. So you lay down the questions. Not for someone else to answer, not as existential angst, not out of desperation for some place to land, but simply because they are there. I admire your ability to do that.
I'm sharing this post with my wife because she experiences some very similar scenarios with her paintings.
Thank you so much, Don, for your kind words. As you noticed yourself, my goal was precisely not to interpret the experience, but simply to place the questions there, because they were there.
I really resonate with this. While I’ve had the chance to exhibit recently, I often struggle with that post-show clarity—or lack thereof. It’s easy to hope that exposure will finally lead to a major sale or career shift. I try to lean on DeCarava’s wisdom that the act of exhibiting is its own reward, but the practical hurdles remain. As soon as I figure out a better storage solution, I’ll be back at it. The drive to create is still there.
Thanks, Michael for the comment. What can I say? I especially like when your said that the act of exhibiting is its own reward, and the drive to create is still there. That’s it:)
Although I was a bit surprised to read that 'nothing happened', I'm happy you'll just continue to do what you feel is right and maybe the next exhibition will be totally different. Abstracts will not easily draw large groups of people, but I'm positive you'll find a dedicated audience that will truly appreciate your work.
Your post stopped me in my tracks. I think I’m in the middle of self doubt #534 of whether I should keep doing my art and photography. I know that’s the little voice in my head. But when I take pictures or create art that is when my soul sings. Thank you for your post and snapping me back into reality. Your work is amazing and I agree with the others comments. Your work belongs in a gallery.
Congratulations Davor, you've already done and achieved something a lot of artists struggle to do. Putting up your work on a wall, at a public space for others to see is a big, bold and brave move!
As you say, perhaps your expectations were different, or perhaps they weren't grounded enough. We've all been there. Don't let these outcomes dicourage you from your objectives. You, my friend, are an artist! All those things you desire are the result of hard work, persistence, obsession, discipline and networking. Maybe a little bit of luck. Congratulations!
great article! i like the honesty of it all. and such great epiphanies. i sometimes think that a photographer is like a goat/sheep herder. everyday doing the same process over and over, but getting better at craft. at the end of the day, the only question is "did i tend well today?" you most certainly do.
Absolutely you will keep on with your work if like me, it's what you must do. The rest is chance and a bonus. Particularly if you are doing more challenging work. However, I agree with the commenter here who pointed out the need for the venue to bring all the attention to the work - it's hard to do that in a place where people go for a different reason, like to eat. Honor that - place your work in a venue that allows people to sit with it undistracted. That will do justice to what you are trying to communicate. It's only fair.
Bringing beauty for a moment in someone's life is awesome on its own. To me, an artist is like a traveler that brings back the story of their journey, a story of a faraway "place", to be told and shared with everyone else. I know you brought that to some, even those who didn't ask about the photos. I love your stories and the way you tell them.
That feeling of anti-climax when something ends, when something exciting or even exhausting has been going on for a while, making you speed-blind and not ready to stop.
That’s the feeling of a moment, not a journey, not a change. It is the time when the memory builds, the understanding of what was.
Like those sun-rays you see in the morning, and then they are gone. You enjoyed them, you remember them as good, and you know by experience that there will be more of them coming.
Memory times x is experience. It will come for your exhibitions too. That magic moment of memory-building will feel smaller for every time, as it has still more to measure against. And that will make your experience feel bigger - will make you feel bigger.
That magic of the moment when something starts will always be a solid part of you. A core memory. A platform on which a lot is going to be built.
I believe that is a very important question you're ending this essay with. I hope the answer is yes. Exhibitions are great fun is my experience. Selling works is amazing and helps financing the whole thing, but enjoying the work poured into it & the visitor's reactions make it worthwhile.
Thanks, Marcel for the comment. Now, I have to find another place to exhibit something else.
after my first exhibition i had one single thought: i did it! now i'm ready to do it again.
and i did it again. why? i don't know. pride, thick a box, you name it. all i know is i enjoyed doing it!
Thanks, Perfect for the comment. Now I have to do another one:)
I really resonate with this essay. I have done about five exhibitions now and somehow I have similar feelings towards the end and after taking my work off of the walls.
It’s important to reflect back to the real meaning behind why you got into this in the first place. It’s usually because of the love of the art.
Your work is wonderful.
Thank you so much for your comment, Preston. It means a lot hearing this from someone who has experienced the same thing.
I think exhibitions pull us into expectations and outcomes, but in the end the real value is simply the love of making and seeing. The show disappears, but the relationship with photography remains.
And thank you for your kind words about my work.
You’re welcome. I haven’t done a solo exhibition yet. I would like to take my time, plan it and make it happen.
I appreciate your openness, Davor. You've given me a lot to think about!
It is about one of the possible attitudes on one of the possible outcomes:) Thanks for your comment, Susanna.
You are an artist, Davor. Stay the course.
Thank you, Christopher for your support. It means a lot.
Davor, I love your work my friend. It’s hard for me to digest the fact that people were asking, “What’s that?…or whatever they said. I look at your work and with my crazy imagination, see all kinds of things. (I believe you know that is true) I f I were well off, there’s no way I would hesitate to purchase a photo from you. I’m happy you picked up your camera and got back out there. You’re a great talent, an innovator, and you shine✨
Thank you, Jo-Ann. Such a beautiful comment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will definitely keep going in the direction that inspires me the most.
😊🤗
It seems to me that there was a lot competing with your work: First of all, it's a cafe, so people's attention is on their coffee and whomever they're having coffee with. Secondly, the color scheme of the walls and the furniture are not conducive to highlighting or supporting the kind of work that your photographs are. It's good that they had spotlights on the work, and the place looks nice. But, ideally your work should be exhibited in a gallery. It certainly deserves to be.
Thank you, Brooks. I think you’re right. A cafe space brings warmth and accessibility, but it also competes with the work in many ways. I also feel the work is asking for a more focused gallery setting eventually.
I love this essay, Davor. It's descriptive, it sets the facts down and allows the reader to interpret them as they will (surely, just as your photographs did). You have questions. That's a fact. So you lay down the questions. Not for someone else to answer, not as existential angst, not out of desperation for some place to land, but simply because they are there. I admire your ability to do that.
I'm sharing this post with my wife because she experiences some very similar scenarios with her paintings.
Thank you so much, Don, for your kind words. As you noticed yourself, my goal was precisely not to interpret the experience, but simply to place the questions there, because they were there.
I really resonate with this. While I’ve had the chance to exhibit recently, I often struggle with that post-show clarity—or lack thereof. It’s easy to hope that exposure will finally lead to a major sale or career shift. I try to lean on DeCarava’s wisdom that the act of exhibiting is its own reward, but the practical hurdles remain. As soon as I figure out a better storage solution, I’ll be back at it. The drive to create is still there.
Thanks, Michael for the comment. What can I say? I especially like when your said that the act of exhibiting is its own reward, and the drive to create is still there. That’s it:)
Although I was a bit surprised to read that 'nothing happened', I'm happy you'll just continue to do what you feel is right and maybe the next exhibition will be totally different. Abstracts will not easily draw large groups of people, but I'm positive you'll find a dedicated audience that will truly appreciate your work.
Thanks, Vincent for your support🙌
You’re welcome, Davor!
Your post stopped me in my tracks. I think I’m in the middle of self doubt #534 of whether I should keep doing my art and photography. I know that’s the little voice in my head. But when I take pictures or create art that is when my soul sings. Thank you for your post and snapping me back into reality. Your work is amazing and I agree with the others comments. Your work belongs in a gallery.
Congratulations Davor, you've already done and achieved something a lot of artists struggle to do. Putting up your work on a wall, at a public space for others to see is a big, bold and brave move!
As you say, perhaps your expectations were different, or perhaps they weren't grounded enough. We've all been there. Don't let these outcomes dicourage you from your objectives. You, my friend, are an artist! All those things you desire are the result of hard work, persistence, obsession, discipline and networking. Maybe a little bit of luck. Congratulations!
great article! i like the honesty of it all. and such great epiphanies. i sometimes think that a photographer is like a goat/sheep herder. everyday doing the same process over and over, but getting better at craft. at the end of the day, the only question is "did i tend well today?" you most certainly do.
Absolutely you will keep on with your work if like me, it's what you must do. The rest is chance and a bonus. Particularly if you are doing more challenging work. However, I agree with the commenter here who pointed out the need for the venue to bring all the attention to the work - it's hard to do that in a place where people go for a different reason, like to eat. Honor that - place your work in a venue that allows people to sit with it undistracted. That will do justice to what you are trying to communicate. It's only fair.
Bringing beauty for a moment in someone's life is awesome on its own. To me, an artist is like a traveler that brings back the story of their journey, a story of a faraway "place", to be told and shared with everyone else. I know you brought that to some, even those who didn't ask about the photos. I love your stories and the way you tell them.
That feeling of anti-climax when something ends, when something exciting or even exhausting has been going on for a while, making you speed-blind and not ready to stop.
That’s the feeling of a moment, not a journey, not a change. It is the time when the memory builds, the understanding of what was.
Like those sun-rays you see in the morning, and then they are gone. You enjoyed them, you remember them as good, and you know by experience that there will be more of them coming.
Memory times x is experience. It will come for your exhibitions too. That magic moment of memory-building will feel smaller for every time, as it has still more to measure against. And that will make your experience feel bigger - will make you feel bigger.
That magic of the moment when something starts will always be a solid part of you. A core memory. A platform on which a lot is going to be built.