JANE PICKERSGILL

I spent several days  on the ART HANDLING team for the week of the Jerwood Drawing Prize 2017. The competition has been run from Wimbledon for many years and consequently recruits both volunteer and paid students for the work. Training included - 

• preparing the areas for safe and clean acceptance of artwork (padding tables, laying down paper on the floors)

• administrative duties such as cross checking forms

• physical aspect of handling the work correctly and safely

• learning how to assess the condition of the work  (unwrapped when it was handed in)

• how to stack correctly to ensure frames were undamaged

• how to log in works from regional collecting points

• how to ensure work was returned to the correct 'stacks' for collection after the judging process

 

Members of the handling team are also present during the judging days so are able to see the assessment process from close quarters as well as being able to view the artwork themselves, though not alongside the judges.

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• I was chosen as one of the team of 4 'specialist handlers' to work with 'alternative artworks'. These are usually sculptural, 3D or large 2D works which need unrolling and holding up during the judging process. We were responsible for the safe storage, unwrapping and packing, as well as the 'installation' or arranging of  these (usually) sculptural pieces  which could not be shown by normal methods  (laid on tables or propped against the walls. 

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Reflections on the experience, key skills acquired:

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• The work had an unexpected pleasure; it was a great networking opportunity; as I was collaborating and working with other Wimbledon and UAL students and alumni as well as some school leavers about to start their studies.  

• It illustrated to me the ultra competitive nature of even competitions with an entry charge. 

• Works were displayed for judging purely on the order in which they were picked up by the handlers(often the order in which they were received) and were looked at alongside several hundred pieces - not individually. An artwork really had to 'stand out to make the shortlist. 

• Rigorous methods were employed and cross checked to ensure all work being delivered back to the out of London collection points - thoroughness and attention to detail were an important facet of the work.