How Galleries Curate Stories Through Exhibitions

By Sebastien Montel

Exhibitions are more than the sum of their artworks. They are narratives, carefully constructed to guide the viewer’s experience. As a French artist in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, I’ve seen how galleries act as storytellers, using curation to frame contemporary art in new ways.

The Power of Context

Art does not exist in isolation. The placement of a painting next to another changes its meaning. In the hands of a skilled curator, works interact, creating dialogues about identity, intimacy, or cultural themes. This curatorial approach transforms exhibitions into living conversations.

Curating Emotion

In shows that highlight emotional art or psychological art, curators often group works to intensify a theme. A series of portraits, for example, might collectively suggest resilience, grief, or vulnerability. This storytelling gives viewers a richer experience than any single work might achieve alone.

Material and Technique as Storytelling Tools

Curators also consider technique. In my mixed media art, the textures of newspaper, oil, and pencil can connect with other artists’ approaches, creating threads across an exhibition. These connections help viewers understand broader movements in contemporary art, while highlighting each artist’s individuality.

Why Curation Matters

Curation ensures that art is not only seen but understood. By shaping narrative, galleries help audiences connect emotionally and intellectually. Exhibitions, then, are not simply displays, they are stories we walk through, stories that stay with us.