The main difference between exhibition and gallery is that an exhibition is a public display of art or items of interest, while a gallery is a place we use for the display or sale of works of art.
Exhibition and gallery are quite common words in the world of art. Although these two words are often interconnected, they are not the same. A gallery is a place where art is sold or displayed, while an exhibition is an event that involves displaying arts or other items.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is an Exhibition
– Definition, Features
2. What is a Gallery
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Exhibition and Gallery
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Exhibition, Gallery
What is an Exhibition
An exhibition is a public display of art or items of interest. Exhibitions are usually held in places like museums, art galleries, parks, libraries, or fairs. These are all cultural or educational settings. There are also exclusive places to hold exhibitions: exhibition centers. Exhibitions can display many types of items; art and photography are two common exhibits we all know. In fact, art exhibitions may involve different genres and artifacts: drawings, paintings, sculptures, crafts, sound installations, performances, video installations, interactive art, etc. Some exhibitions may display valuable, rare, or fragile items, for example, exhibitions featuring rare antiques. Some may even display rare animals.
Exhibitions are temporary – they are held on specific dates and have specific opening and closing times. Many exhibitions only involve one venue, but some exhibitions, like traveling exhibitions, use multiple locations. Moreover, they can vary in magnitude – from grand exhibitions like the World fair to small one-artist solo shows.
What is a Gallery
A gallery is a place we use for the display or sale of works of art. Originally, the word gallery referred to long, narrow covered passages people used to display works of art. Modern galleries come in many different sizes and styles. Galleries display art for various reasons – education, aesthetic enjoyment, historic preservation, marketing, etc.
Galleries can be either public or private. Some institutions preserve a permanent art collection while some display art for commercial purposes. Art museum is another word for art gallery. All in all, art galleries play a vital role in the world of art. They help to maintain a connection between artists, collectors, and art experts. They also expose artists’ work to the public eye. In fact, galleries are a popular place to hold art exhibitions.
There are various types of art galleries. Galleries may display new work by living artists (primary market) or work from prior periods, which are owned by collectors or estates (secondary market). We can also categorize the art displayed as Old Masters, Modern (1900-1950), and contemporary (1950–present).
Difference Between Exhibition and Gallery
Definition
An exhibition is a public display of art or items of interests, while a gallery is a place we use for the display or sale of works of art.
Nature
A gallery is a place, while an exhibition is an event.
Permanency
Exhibitions are usually temporary as they are held on specific dates. However, you can observe works of art in galleries almost every day.
Conclusion
Generally, exhibition and gallery are quite common words in the world of art. Although we often use these two words interchangeably, they are not the same. The main difference between exhibition and gallery is that an exhibition is a public display of art or items of interest, while a gallery is a place we use for the display or sale of works of art.
Reference:
1. “Art Gallery.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Feb. 2022.
2. “Exhibition.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 Feb. 2022.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Photo of art, exhibition, convention, art exhibition” (CC0) via Pxhere
2. “Photo of museum, property, painting, interior design, art, design, gallery, tourist attraction, exhibition, artists, real estate, art gallery, art exhibition” (CC0) via Pxhere
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