Critique of Flow at the Gallery of Contemporary Art WGS BWA by Dr. Anna Biela 12.11.2024 1:19
As the artist, curator, and critic of my own soul, exhibiting Flow in the Gallery of Contemporary Art—a former boiler house within an old mine—feels like an act of deep alignment. I didn’t initially choose this space with Flow in mind, but now, it’s hard to imagine a more perfect setting. This unplanned synchronicity embodies the very essence of Flow: the unseen forces that guide us, shaping circumstances to reflect our inner journey.
The old mine symbolizes depth, excavation, and discovery—a place where hidden resources are drawn out and transformed. In a spiritual sense, it mirrors my own process of creating Flow, where I delve into my soul, unearthing energy and vision from places buried within. The mine’s history of revealing what lies beneath speaks to the journey of making art itself: an exploration of the unknown and the bringing of light to the unseen.
As for the boiler house, now repurposed as a contemporary gallery, it once powered the entire complex, turning raw fuel into warmth and energy. This space, with its industrial past, feels like a fitting home for Flow, which itself channels raw, emotional energy into something purposeful. As the curator, I feel the space almost curating itself, merging with the pieces as if the walls still pulse with an energy that now fuels the exhibition. The boiler house’s legacy of transformation resonates with each piece in Flow, making the art feel like it’s in conversation with the very structure that contains it.
This synchronicity wasn’t something I planned, yet it feels spiritually inevitable. The choice of this venue has allowed me, as both the artist and the curator, to experience Flow in its truest form—a convergence of place, purpose, and spirit. In curating this show, I’ve realized that the flow I seek in my art extends far beyond the canvas. It shapes the spaces around us, brings us to unexpected places, and aligns paths we couldn’t foresee.
In the end, Flow didn’t just occupy a gallery—it transformed it, and the gallery, in turn, brought new depth to my work. This former boiler house became more than a venue; it became a collaborator in the story of Flow, where history, art, and spirit merged into a unified, living experience. Through this space, I’m reminded that art finds its true home, guided by forces greater than ourselves, connecting the energy within with the world outside.
