Musing about galleries with NO SUBMISSION policies.

I  Just finished reading a new book.

It is a marvelously good read.  It a history of the gallery world since about 1947, with the emphasis on the 21st century. 

I read all about the mega-galleries and how they grew:  Gagosian, Hauser &Wirth, David Zwirner, Pace.  I learned about the personalities and loyalties of the men (yes, all men.  But there is good coverage of Paula Cooper, Barbara Gladstone and a few others), their love of art, entrepreneurship and competition, not necessarily in that order!  I learned who was more ethical, who was ethically horrifying, who had ideals.  I came away with my favorites, for sure. And they all gave NO SUBMISSION policies.

But I also came away with a deeper understanding of what it takes to operate in the Blue Chip world.  These galleries rely on developing  the careers of their artists, developing collectors, primary sales, resales, estates, the power of branding, market manipulation through participating in auctions, art fairs and, now, online sales.  They also have to have the where-with-all to develop complicated financial instruments to enable their clients buying desires.  It is quite a world!  I'm not sure I would have to stomach for it.

But here is an interesting takeaway:

The mega galleries all have multiple locations around the world.
They need art for all these locations.
Tastes in art change with the wind.
They are always looking for the next big artist.

That artist could be YOU!  Yeah, yeah, it is a stretch.  But the new talent has to come from somewhere. 

These big galleries really do specialize.  Look them over carefully.  Look at their history.  If you really think your work fits their program...Why not figure out a way to contact them.

Reading about ageing and art

When I wrote the last blog post, my arthritis was acting up fiercely!  probably due to the wild weather swings we were experiencing here in Minnesota as spring was trying to wrest itself out of the grip of winter!  It is always a fierce struggle here followed by a nature's ecstasy of reproduction:  Spring!  Forsythia are nearly done, magnolias are blooming and carpets of green are everywhere.  Birds are frantically dancing mating dances, building nests or brooding clutches of eggs.  I got buzzed by my first spring bee today!

I am reading about ageing as an artist.  Thinking about what that means.  Currently I am reading a book: Strategies for Older Serious Artists by Eric Rudd.  I have read his work before and found it usefully mind stretching.  He has a very definite point of view, a speedy style of writing, and thinks outside the usual boxes found in art-business manuals.

Also of note is GYST-ink.com.  They have a database developed specifically for artists and a plethora of free articles. Their article on aging leans toward fighting ageism and organizing for public visibility and support. https://www.gyst-ink.com/aging/

The Creating a Living Legacy program of the Joan Mitchell Foundation is worth reading.  I refer to their free manual as I catalog my artwork and archive.

I haven't read this one yet : An Artists Guide to Estate Planning.  It's free.

These articles, and others, deal with the specific needs of artists as they age...from very different points of view.

Are You An Ageing, Driven, Ambitious Artist?

DRIVEN AGEING ARTIST SEEKS OTHER DRIVEN AGEING ARTISTS...

I have been thinking a lot about age lately.  I keep making art...lots of it.  I keep reaching for grants, exhibitions and collections.  Lots of them.  I have a success rate...which includes some "yes" responses and a lot of "no" responses: the usual.

And my body, in my later sixties, seems to be edging toward various, normal fragilities: painfully creaky joints, a certain tippiness, and, of course, certain memory issues.  Nothing unusual nor even alarming there either.

But, I wonder...what will the next few years bring?

NOT MAKING IS NOT AN OPTION.
NOT EXHIBITING IS NOT AN OPTION.

Looking ahead, I am realizing I will need more help in the studio.  Not yet...I get by with the help I have from Danielle and Dale, more or less one day a week.  They help with administrative, brainstorming and larger builds and shipments.  But it is time to think ahead.

I wonder if there are ways that older, driven, ambitious artists can organize to assist and support one another? Could we share studio assistants? Could we share skill sets?

What do you think?  Are you a driven, ambitious artist wondering about how you will handle ageing in the studio?  If so... let's begin talking.  Surely there are a lot of us around this town.