|
|
Post by blah2u on Mar 25, 2008 15:03:11 GMT -8
I’m not sure if this topic has been covered before but what are members’ thoughts on the processes galleries run to sell artists’ work? It seems that gallery owners either use a free-for all, a list, or choose amongst their exclusive (often repeat) buyers. (are there other variations? do list orders get manipulated?)
Being a novice, I’m not too familiar with all the galleries – but it seems to me that G1988 does the free for all, Thinkspace – a list, and it would seem Gallery Nucleus and CoproNason are happy to sell to folks that they’ve done business with in the past – at least giving their select customers first looks/chances. (pls correct me if I’m wrong or mis-stating).
Frankly, being new to this doesn’t bother me too much that I’m not at the top of any list nor given a call by galleries for exclusive opportunities; it is prob just saving me tons of money and allowing me not to stretch beyond my reach. I just wish more galleries would set aside a few works from each show on a first come basis for the diligent commoner to at least give the appearance that works are accessible to all.
Any thoughts?
|
|
|
|
Post by comiconart on Mar 25, 2008 15:09:15 GMT -8
All systems have their pros and cons (mostly depending on where I am in the mix, LOL), but I'm fine with either method as long as they are FAIR. From what I've heard through the grapevine, a certain gallery "at the center of it all" is happy to take bribes for the first picks. To me this is utter garbage. Not the way to run a respectable gallery, to be sure.
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepboy on Mar 25, 2008 15:44:00 GMT -8
I agree, all systems have good and bad sides and I have been on both sides at one time or another. In the end, remember that like any business they have to keep their customers happy, especially the ones that are local, have money, and have bought from them before. Because who's gonna support them when they have a show with a not so hot artist? The loyal customer base close to home or the out of towner who is on a list for that one HOT artist once every two years???
I think there will always be a little favortism, and I'm okay with that as long as it's not too extreme. There should be a balance of stuff available for newcomers and people who get early on a list, etc.... At least some galleries are up front about that and don't lie or are rude about it.
|
|
|
|
Post by svenman on Mar 27, 2008 14:28:28 GMT -8
oh court, you've gotta spill the beans on that..... does the gallery release prints on wood?
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepboy on Mar 27, 2008 14:30:09 GMT -8
oh court, you've gotta spill the beans on that..... does the gallery release prints on wood? LOL. |
|
|
|
Post by LeBasse Projects on Mar 28, 2008 15:21:39 GMT -8
oh court, you've gotta spill the beans on that..... does the gallery release prints on wood? LOL. I am happy to take bribes... ...but otherwise as a gallery, we like to send preview out and pretty much go first come first served. Pretty standard preview release Thursdays at noon PST, so its pretty fair. Then again we are not selling Audrey, Craola or Stella anymore, so don't have quite as many people beating down our door. Trying to develop some new kids here, and I don't think it will be long before some of our artists are putting us in the same boat. It is actually pretty tough as a gallery too though. We have some collectors almost cornering the market with some artists, and to be frank, we would prefer to let new buyers have a crack sometimes... |
|
|
|
Post by mute on Mar 28, 2008 15:24:53 GMT -8
It is actually pretty tough as a gallery too though. We have some collectors almost cornering the market with some artists, and to be frank, we would prefer to let new buyers have a crack sometimes... Sorry.  |
|
|
|
Post by masao626 on Mar 28, 2008 17:25:44 GMT -8
It is actually pretty tough as a gallery too though. We have some collectors almost cornering the market with some artists, and to be frank, we would prefer to let new buyers have a crack sometimes... you know, i was wondering about this. I know that there is certainly a benefit to pleasing the regulars, but i was curious to know, from a gallery's perspective, how they felt about the regulars, who're guarenteed to buy, always asking to be front of the line. i assume it happens and does it ever get tough to say no for fear of alienating them (and their wallets?)? |
|
|
|
Post by LeBasse Projects on Mar 28, 2008 17:46:02 GMT -8
I actually prefer to look at it in the interest of the artists. At first, you would assume a sale is a sale, and even if one buyer bought a whole show that would be great!
The reality for me, is that I want to make sure my artists' collectors are diverse, just as I want my own collector base to be diverse. I think any gallery relying on one or two artists, or on one or two collectors is in trouble in the long run.
project: made a commitment to building a fresh roster of talent instead of chasing the sure fire sales. I approach building a collector base the same way. While I love the repeat buyers (and really appreciate the ones that are as passionate about the art as me...cough cough mute) it is my job as a representative of my artists to always try to bring them new fans.
|
|
|
|
Post by comiconart on Mar 31, 2008 19:16:45 GMT -8
oh court, you've gotta spill the beans on that..... does the gallery release prints on wood? Nope. Not Copro. The answer is there for all to see.  |
|
|
|
Post by masao626 on Mar 31, 2008 19:19:50 GMT -8
oh court, you've gotta spill the beans on that..... does the gallery release prints on wood? Nope. Not Copro. The answer is there for all to see. Ohhhhhhhhhh!!!!! geez. that took me way too long. |
|
|
|
Post by ritedere on Mar 31, 2008 20:21:10 GMT -8
I dont get it.
lol
|
|
|
|
Post by tisza2cute on Mar 31, 2008 23:34:32 GMT -8
oh, i got it, lol... nice little quip there comicon |
|
|
|
Post by commandax on May 14, 2008 21:57:44 GMT -8
What is it with galleries that just ignore requests to be put on a preview list? It's not like I'm even trying to get on the really popular lists! It's like a secret society where you have to solve a riddle or complete a quest before they let you in. Honestly, after a gallery has brushed me off a couple of times, I'm just about ready to write them off completely. I don't need their art that bad.  |
|
|
|
Post by steveinca on May 15, 2008 16:16:19 GMT -8
Often times, if i have a hard time picking up a piece by an artist i like via galleries, i instead contact the artist directly. This has worked several times for me. Some may object to it but i've never had a negative response/reaction by an artist after contacting them.
I've been able to pick up a few pieces that i really wanted this way as well as some commissions. Also, it 's a great way to ask about upcoming shows they have and the pieces they'll be showing. Myspace is KEY. Seems more times than not an artist will respond to a myspace message as opposed to a direct email via their website. Perhaps the reason is it seems more personable that way.
So far, to my surprise every artist i like has a myspace page and has responded via messaging. To name a few: Michael Hussar, Zombienose, Shawn Barber, Krista Huot, Luke Chueh and Chet Zar
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepboy on Aug 16, 2008 18:43:24 GMT -8
baby tattooville has an interesting way that they will be handling sales of their mini show. they alternate list with random drawing every other slot. so 1st sale goes to 1st on the list, 2nd sale goes to random drawing, 3rd sale goes to 2nd on the list, 4th sale goes to random drawing...
might not work for a real gallery though.
also, i like it when galleries give you a little time to email in your choices and then let you call in when you a confirmation email because if the method is to call me on a day when i'm at work, then i'm screwed. i guess it's easier for them to work down the list rather than wait for people to call back. i wish i had reception at work....
|
|
|
|
Post by sleepboy on Feb 23, 2009 15:08:37 GMT -8
There has been some discussion about previews/waiting lists recently and thought I would bump this discussion up.
I know some people are disturbed to see something marked sold when the preview comes out.
Personally, I would still like to see it because I'm interested to see all the art, even the sold items. If galleries were smart and wanted to avoid controversy, they would not mark anything sold when they send it out... however, this would generate more calls that would waste the gallery and the collector's time.
I think it's safe to assume, for better or worse, that not everyone sees the preview at the same time for multiple reasons. I have been upset about this in the past as well I must admit, but seem to have accepted it a while back.
|
|
|
|
Post by highbrow on Feb 23, 2009 21:31:55 GMT -8
I am on the fence, why I loved the way Black Maria did the preview by emailing out 5 people and giving 24 hour notice to email back your list. However I also like when a gallery has the free for all so when I forget months in advance to put my name on the list there is a chance I may land something.
|
|
|
|
Post by Weezy on Mar 18, 2010 22:40:59 GMT -8
I'm reposting my question and Sleepboy's answer here, because I think this is helpful advice for someone with a similar question. Also my response to his.
Sleepboy, how did you get this image before the show? I just got the show book preview this morning. I'm really trying to figure out how collecting works. I was told that my first choice piece was already taken, and I called 20 minutes after I got the preview.
At least I think I got my second choice.
Weezy
Sleepboy's helpful response:
Re: Ian Francis @ Lazarides - Rathbone Place (3/25
« Reply #3 Today at 9:01pm »
Hey weezy. I forgot where I got the image but it's the stock image for the show meaning it was made public by the gallery, it's been released onto the internet.
In regards to "how collecting works," for better or worse, typically the preview goes to people who the gallery deems important first then it travels down the list as those people pass. So in essence, there is a list but maybe not chronological in terms of who asked to be on there first. Very few galleries deviate from this in general. Essentially they take care of people who either spend the most money with them or they deem important (celebrity, museum, institutions, famous collectors) first. Now this can be bypassed on occasion if you have a personal relationship with the person in charge of selling whether it is because you know them or they like you for some reason.
It's not completely random though as some do follow the list but after the top level has been taken care of. Again, the list might not be exactly chronological, for example if a collector was "screwed" on previous shows or the gallery feels like they owe them something for some reason, they might rise on the list. Also they might send different email blasts to lists (divided into levels) and give first come first serve as each blast is sent out.
Weezy's further response:
Now that I read all of the postings in this thread, I think I better understand the process. #1 takeaway is that you have to get the preview, even if you're not first in line to receive it. For an artist in high-demand, by the time the show opens, you're just really way too late.
For the Ian Francis show, I was on the phone and literally pieces were being claimed while I was discussing what was available. And simultaneously with selecting from the available pieces, I had to do some quick conversions of GBP to USD and VAT to even figure out what the pieces were going for. My brain was in overdrive. But the Lazarides people are very nice and and helpful, and reasonably responsive. I've bought two pieces recently from Alix Sloan Gallery in NYC, and she's just wonderful-- very responsive and great to talk to about the artist's work.
I don't mind certain collectors maybe having priority, I think I just like to know so I can measure my expectations about what pieces I'm likely to have access to, because I don't want to get my hopes up. My other takeaway is that you have to collect artists where almost every piece is a knockout that you'd be thrilled to have. Unfortunately, it's extremely rare that I like every piece of an artist's-- although I won't collect someone who doesn't at least in some respect remain a largely consistent quality throughout his/her work. I also want a piece that really reflects as many of the elements of what I love about an artist's work as possible, and it seems to me that such pieces are usually in the top one or two in highest demand. Although that's not always true-- my favorite might be a quirky piece that's among the one or two that haven't sold a week after the opening.
The other big issue I have is that if I'm spending thousands of dollars on a piece, I need to really love it, because I can't justify spending that kind of money on art if eventually I'm going to want to hang it in the bathroom to make space on my primary walls for something I like better (although that day is likely to come soon enough as I keep collecting, but I always maintain the idea that the better solution is just to move to a bigger home with more walls!). I also don't know that I want more than a couple of works from any one artist, so I want to be very selective about the pieces I do collect.
Upshot is that the gallery will lose my purchase if I'm way down on the list, because I'm not going to consider collecting beyond my second choice. So far, I've been lucky.
I had been hopeful that the nightmare economic climate would give newbie collectors like me who haven't yet built that many relationships with galleries potential access to first or second choice works, and given my recent luck maybe that's true. I just wonder what collecting must be like in boom times. Seems like I'd have more money but would spend less because I'd never get any of my desired pieces.
I'm wondering if other collectors' practical experiences on this and their view of the market impact on reasonable access (maybe because they've had experience collecting n boom times). I suppose some people are just luckier because their preferences don't tend to align with the popular taste.
I ha
Weezy
|
|
|
|
Post by ksn on Aug 20, 2012 15:37:45 GMT -8
Bump, thanks for all the info. Very helpful and would do some good on the first page |
|
