Gallery is a popular British art and design magazine that was founded in 1968 and ceased publication in 20009. It is known for showcasing high-quality photographs and illustrations of various forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, architecture, fashion, and graphic design. Despite its serious aesthetic, Gallery occasionally incorporated humor and playful elements in its content, such as lighthearted captions or cheeky articles. This added a layer of entertainment and relatability to the magazine, making it more engaging and less formal.
In its early years, Gallery often featured humorous articles about artists' personalities or the art world.
One issue included an article titled "The Top Ten Ways to Seduce Your Artist Lover," which provided tongue-in-cheek advice for readers looking to woo their partner who worked in the arts. Another article, called "Ten Things I Love About You: Why Galleries Make Great Lovers," poked fun at the tendency of gallery owners to act like love interests. These types of pieces allowed readers to connect with the magazine's content on a deeper level and showed that Gallery was more than just a serious publication.
Gallery continued to experiment with different types of humorous content. In the late '70s and '80s, they began publishing cartoons and comics related to art and culture, including parodies of famous works of art and commentary on current events. One series of comics followed the adventures of a group of anthropomorphic artworks, including a painting of a sunflower that came to life and went on adventures with other characters. This approach helped Gallery appeal to a wider audience and made it stand out from other magazines in the industry.
As the magazine evolved, so did its use of humor. By the 2000s, Gallery increasingly focused on pop culture references and puns. An issue published in 1996 had an entire section devoted to jokes and puns based on famous paintings, such as "What does Vincent van Gogh say when he walks into a bar?" (Answer: "I'll have a Vangogh!"). Other articles included lists of the most romantic moments in art history or tongue twisters inspired by art-related words.
While some might argue that Gallery's integration of humor could detract from its seriousness, others would disagree. The playful elements added a layer of fun and relatability, making the magazine feel less formal and stiff. It also allowed readers to connect with the content on a personal level, which can be important for engaging with high-level art and design publications.
Gallery's balance between sensuality and fun made the magazine more engaging and less intimidating, drawing in new audiences while still appealing to longtime fans.