This is the tale of two galleries, both profiled in the New York Times’ story 36 Hours in Rome: Galleria Lorcan O’Neill (the first and second photos and experience) and Dorothy Circus Gallery (the third photo and those that follow).
![image](https://66.media.tumblr.com/c995bde873f315d28e5c6a4b9a98b083/tumblr_inline_nl0g1xDwmL1t0s3np.jpg)
I entered the Galleria Lorcan O’Neill through an incredibly unmarked courtyard. It wasn’t easy to find. From the street, I saw the lovely Roman fountain and then a small sign advertising the Gallery. The Gallery is showing British sculptor Eddie Peak’s work, which it describes rather plainly:
It opens with large spray paintings of faces rendered in vivid colours, made using the negative space left by plastic bags and scarves. Also included are highlighter-coloured paintings on steel panels.
Somehow neglected are large white prone figures of men with huge penises apparently masturbating. If you couldn’t figure that out, there is a sign in the back room that says something about the world’s greatest masturabators. A little hard to imagine one of his masculine beauties in our living room.
What I found equally hard to imagine was the gallery manager. The entire time I was in the gallery – and I was the only person there – he sat in front of a Macintosh computer ignoring me artfully. His demeanor made the art even more awful emotionally than it appeared visually – ignored and ignorable. Somehow it all made sense.
![image](https://66.media.tumblr.com/9a770a837dcfa49965c35ec028796d73/tumblr_inline_nl0g7jAjUD1t0s3np.jpg)
What a contrast to the Dorothy Circus Gallery, which was easy to find and immediately inviting. I had barely entered the front door when Giorgio, the musician-MBA-former financier (as I learned) and husband of the owner Alexandra, engaged me. Room by room, artist by artist, he explained their work, its significance, the social context, the price (if I asked). We exchanged cards and contacts – Andrew Jackson of the Outer Edge Studio being one of mine.
![image](https://66.media.tumblr.com/05aaeee230305bad5e3ca51f8ee5df6d/tumblr_inline_nl0g3i2zVC1t0s3np.jpg)
What a contrast! I actually liked some of the art in the Dorothy Circus Gallery, the work by Roa
![image](https://66.media.tumblr.com/ba7d2d0aee9d92381181348716c205c1/tumblr_inline_nl0h55aQJA1t0s3np.jpg)
![image](https://66.media.tumblr.com/a3976dd149fd56925cff6b8f87d89499/tumblr_inline_nl0h18QDQ51t0s3np.jpg)
And their new work by the Iranian artist Afarin Sajedi, who I think Becky would really like.
![image](https://66.media.tumblr.com/65f7ddea4c0e17b3fca3a54eff0c7b38/tumblr_inline_nl0h3mqkfv1t0s3np.jpg)
I’ll return to the Dorothy Circus Gallery because the art was interesting and the owner was interested. I hope the Galleria Lorcan O’Neil finds its humanity.