Feel like you could be the next Damien Hirst? Mothers Sally Perry and Janine Collins, who have created an online community for established and aspiring artists, could be the ones to help you get your big break.
Their initiative, Go Figurative, is a forum for figurative artists — painters, sculptors and photographers whose work is conceptual but refers to reality — to showcase their work and share their views. Those who register will be able to provide feedback on exhibitions and shows, enter competitions and participate in workshops. There is also a market place for people to advertise and sell work, equipment and studio space. Ms Perry (below right), 40, is the former vice president of marketing for CNN. She tells People: “It is becoming very difficult for artists to get gallery representation.” She joined forces with Ms Collins, a former neighbour, who also has an interest in art. A qualified solicitor, Ms Collins, 37, says: “I was looking for a photographer to take pictures of my triplets and I couldn’t find what I was looking for. The idea grew from there. People are crying out for another platform to show their art. There is a definite gap in the market.”
The ladies, who have seven children between them, had taken a break from their careers to bring up their children. “But we didn’t just want to be mums,” says Ms Collins. “We wanted to get back into the business world.”
Ms Perry lives in Hampstead Garden Suburb, Ms Collins in Golders Green.
