THE SHARED SURFACE
EXHIBITION SUMMARY
April - June 2026
THE SHARED SURFACE IS NOW COMPLETE!
The Shared Surface was a public, interactive exhibition and social experiment that invited visitors to become part of the artwork itself. A large-scale work was installed directly on the gallery wall and developed daily by Justin Winkel. Visitors were encouraged to contribute their own marks, transforming the surface into a layered composition shaped by collective participation.
The process was continuously documented, capturing both the physical transformation of the artwork and the reactions of those invited to engage with it. The exhibition functions as both a studio space and a social experiment, raising questions about artistic control, public response, and willingness to participate. It challenges the assumptions and hesitations non-artists may have about contributing to a real, evolving artwork.
The goal is to observe how the public responds, whether they feel compelled to leave their own mark, or whether they remain hesitant or restrained out of concern for altering or “messing up” the work. As the work evolves, marks may remain, be altered, or disappear entirely, creating a record of shared presence and change.
Public participation has officially ended! Thank you to everyone who participated. You can view the final piece below and we invite you back to the gallery to experience it in person.
Displayed in chronological order, these images capture the artwork as it slowly transformed through the hands, ideas, energy, and spontaneity of everyone who participated. The figures within the photographs have been painted into monochromatic silhouettes, turning everyday documentation into something more dreamlike and expressive.
FOLLOW THE EVOLUTION
FOLLOW THE EVOLUTION
Please follow along the evolution of this artwork throughout the exhibition. We captured moments of Justin Winkel and visitors contributing to the piece, revealing how the surface transforms over time through collective participation. Each mark, gesture, and interaction becomes part of the artwork’s ongoing story.
