Gallerybound

Gallerybound is a term used to describe the phenomenon of artworks being held in private collections or institutional storage rather than being on public display. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including conservation needs, limited exhibition space, or the specific focus of a collection. While artworks in gallerybound status are not directly accessible to the public, they remain part of an artist's oeuvre and can be studied by scholars or exhibited periodically. The term highlights the tension between an artwork's existence and its public visibility. Efforts to make more art accessible, such as through digital archives or traveling exhibitions, aim to mitigate the effects of artworks being gallerybound. The value of an artwork is not diminished by its temporary inaccessibility, but its engagement with a wider audience is.