Photodiary: A week with Artistic Programmes Manager Louisa Mayor

Meadow Arts’ Louisa Mayor shares her week installing art and meeting artists in Hay-on-Wye.

Louisa Mayor
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I really look forward to the week every month that I am in the Meadow Arts’ office in Shropshire (the rest of the month I work from London). Not only is it a chance to be with all the team, but we also get to work in this gorgeous setting. Meadow Arts produces contemporary art projects in unusual places, often highly regarded heritage buildings, historic sites and landscapes or public spaces, so it is fitting that our offices should be in these Victorian stables.

Monday - The Meadow Arts Office
I really look forward to the week every month that I am in the Meadow Arts’ office in Shropshire (the rest of the month I work from London). Not only is it a chance to be with all the team, but we also get to work in this gorgeous setting. Meadow Arts produces contemporary art projects in unusual places, often highly regarded heritage buildings, historic sites and landscapes or public spaces, so it is fitting that our offices should be in these Victorian stables.

In spite of the early start to get to Hay-on-Wye, there is a flurry of excitement when the ‘Never Judge a Book’ artworks begin to arrive on site. These are works by Anselm Kiefer and Bill Woodrow waiting to be unwrapped. Ably assisted by our technician Olly Jones and art handlers C’Art, it is my job to make sure that all the works arrive safely, are condition checked and placed in position.

Tuesday - Richard Booth’s Bookshop
In spite of the early start to get to Hay-on-Wye, there is a flurry of excitement when the ‘Never Judge a Book’ artworks begin to arrive on site. These are works by Anselm Kiefer and Bill Woodrow waiting to be unwrapped. Ably assisted by our technician Olly Jones and art handlers C’Art, it is my job to make sure that all the works arrive safely, are condition checked and placed in position.

Today involved a quick detour to Mark Richard’s studio to discuss the background material for displaying his parchment manuscripts (in the end we decided on black velvet). We have commissioned Mark to create these works, based on Facebook posts, especially for the exhibition. It turns out that my forehead is remarkably similar to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s, so I am also able to help him with a different strand of his practice – bronze portraiture.

Wednesday – Mark Richard’s studio
Today involved a quick detour to Mark Richard’s studio to discuss the background material for displaying his parchment manuscripts (in the end we decided on black velvet). We have commissioned Mark to create these works, based on Facebook posts, especially for the exhibition. It turns out that my forehead is remarkably similar to Sir Ernest Shackleton’s, so I am also able to help him with a different strand of his practice – bronze portraiture.

My favourite part of my job is working with artists. Here I am helping Jonathan Callan to install his work ‘Idiot Compression’. The meticulous process of placing thousands of tiny books, cut from the corners of full-sized books, was a welcome break from installing some of the larger works and a great opportunity to catch up with Jonathan and discuss art and life.

Thursday – Richard Booth’s Bookshop with Jonathan Callan
My favourite part of my job is working with artists. Here I am helping Jonathan Callan to install his work ‘Idiot Compression’. The meticulous process of placing thousands of tiny books, cut from the corners of full-sized books, was a welcome break from installing some of the larger works and a great opportunity to catch up with Jonathan and discuss art and life.

The show is finally up and we are able to celebrate as a team at the exhibition launch, with plenty of rosé and spring rolls. Here we are looking happy with all that we have achieved, in front of Michael Craig-Martin’s 'Untitled (book)' – exhibited courtesy of the artist and Gagosian Gallery.

Friday – Private View, Richard Booth’s Bookshop
The show is finally up and we are able to celebrate as a team at the exhibition launch, with plenty of rosé and spring rolls. Here we are looking happy with all that we have achieved, in front of Michael Craig-Martin’s 'Untitled (book)' – exhibited courtesy of the artist and Gagosian Gallery.