Pre-selection is now complete. Sadly, on this occasion your work has not been selected for the Open Submission section of… 2019.
Dear Michael
Thank you for submitting your proposal to exhibit at P… Gallery for the 2018 Exhibition Programme, we appreciate the time and effort put into making your application. There were a large number of ambitious proposals submitted this year, but unfortunately your proposal was not successful this time. We would however be very happy to consider a future application from you and details of next years' submission date will be made available…
Rejection is never a pleasant experience but now, I largely move on and heed the words of Eleanor Roosevelt — "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." There is a spasm of hurt but then defiance and motivation propel me onwards.
In the past however, self-doubt and insecurity crept like ivy into my mind eating away at self-esteem and confidence. I really did begin to question my work and reasons for doing it. Now I realise rejection is frequently the result of an opinion of one or more individuals and that the opinion is subjective. The only evaluation that is of real value to me is my own.
Finally, Marcus Aurelius wrote, "The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way." — Meditations
In other words try to use the experience, use the obstacle. Occasionally, the little devil on my shoulder begins the 'your work is no good' whispering but I just flick it off, ignore it and work through those moments.
So, no more emotional destruction!