Gallery[t] to provide regular space for expat artists

Daegu expat art magazine [b]racket has teamed up with local brunch cafe T.Morning to create Gallery[t], a space for regular exhibitions in the cafe.

Magazine cofounder Jess Hinshaw said the cafe had already opened with the intention of showing art, but he had been unable to get the ball rolling.

“He remodeled and made it bigger, and he specifically made the walls to house art but he never could get a connection with somebody or any artists to take the initiative and get something up there,” he said.

They soon agreed on a partnership in which the magazine’s online editor, Lisa Highfill, would choose potential exhibitors from those featured on its pages, and put them forward to T.Morning for about six different showings a year.

The first exhibition did not go without a hiccup, however, as the artist chosen had to leave the country unexpectedly. Three of the magazine’s members are filling in, including Hinshaw, who is displaying pen-and-ink drawings that were made in collaboration with Seoul-based artist Jimmy SK and based on hip-hop lyrics.

“We are happy to show our work, but really the point of the magazine is not for us to share things. It’s for other people to share their work,” he said.

But with the other two artists showing photography and watercolors, the show at least gives an indication of the variety the magazine wants to show.

“In six openings a year I’d love to have six totally different mediums,” said Hinshaw.

“We just want to make it a further incentive and reward for artists that get in touch with us and let us share their work with people … because our magazine is about getting exposure for artists and this will be another way they can get exposure,” said Hinshaw, adding that artists could also sell their work through Gallery[t].

This year has been a strong one for [b]racket, Hinshaw said, with the magazine holding its first exhibition, and now looking to print more copies and have some availability in Seoul.

“I think that the quality of submissions is getting better and the quantity is getting better also, and I think we are getting some more attention from some public officials here and from the university where we had the show,” he said. “That was really big for us for them to give us their approval.”

The current Gallery[t] exhibition will be up until Feb. 2 at T.Morning, opposite Daegu Station.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)