The Curatorial Approach

At Home began with an open call inviting artists to respond to a theme that could be interpreted in deeply personal ways. “Home” means something different to all of us, yet it is something we can all connect with.

With 87 submissions to consider, the selection process focused on creating an exhibition that felt varied and engaging, while maintaining a clear sense of dialogue between the works.

The exhibition was designed to feel approachable rather than formal, using Patch's existing environment to create a welcoming setting where visitors could encounter contemporary art alongside the venue's everyday activity, outside of a traditional gallery setting.

As Patch was a brand new space, there was also the added challenge of not being able to hang artwork on the walls. While this initially made it difficult for some people to envision how the exhibition would work, it ultimately encouraged me to think more creatively about how the space could be used. Rather than following a conventional gallery layout, works were positioned throughout the space, encouraging visitors to walk between and around them rather than simply viewing work from the perimeter.

This unexpected limitation became an important part of the exhibition's identity. Visitors commented that the unconventional format made the exhibition feel more engaging, while several artists experimented with or adapted their practice specifically in response to the space and brief. For me, it reinforced the value of treating constraints as opportunities for creative problem-solving, and the importance of giving artists enough freedom to respond to a space in unexpected ways.