I wanted to be a star, not a gallery mascot. Jean-Michel Basquiat For our first meeting of 2017, Bill reviewed a talk given by Dan Miller (Duncan Miller Gallery) at the Annenberg Center several months ago. Dan has given this talk many times including Photo LA last year.
Needless to say, it's difficult to get represented by any gallery in this art environment...esp in photography galleries. But for those of us obcessed with a gallery show as one sucess factor in our artistic career, Dan's information is useful. Below is an outline summary (abeit brief) of his comments On-Line Exposure Instagram…Likes don’t mean sales Facebook… Create a Facebook “fan page” Update frequently link to website no prices have a feedback section “Bruised Fruit” excessive on-line exposure previously priced on-line or off once “burned”…needs to be retired for several years Develop your Resume Include… exhibitions…group or solo collections publications charity gifts don’t include… your previous life your commercial life Website small and professional organized no prices resume pictures 72 dpi news or blog section update regularly Network artists/photographers galleries group shows Donate to Museums to Charities note on your resume whether it sells or not Make Books / Catalogs / Visuals tell stories Develop your narrative Use media…media needs stories Write for media if you can Presentation is Everything prints should have borders signature on front or back good matting is important nice portfolio case right number of prints Pricing your price can go up but not down…don’t discount galleries and collectors Google everything pricing consistency critical no pricing on website or social media if price too low…no gallery or you can make a profit Editions editions are forever work with gallery size(s)…big vs normal sizes pricing open vs limited number Portfolio Reviews understand who is doing the review what does it cost bring series you think are ready for exhibit ask whether it is…be brave accept the comments but… Why should a gallery care about your work? good work is not enough salability is relevancy is important as is the narrative collectors want uniqueness and provenance collectors use the internet Presenting to Galleries develop a gallery hit list go to their openings and talks never give a card to an owner…it goes in trash but you can introduce yourself never present your work on iPad or iPhone or computer never send CDs or DVDs never send unsolicited emails with big attachments use postcards don’t send books unless they ask for it never bring in work without being asked never approach gallery at art fairs have a good presentation case and a small number of prints matting maybe or just prints help your gallery succeed Following the presentation a number of people shared their experiences in trying to get their work in galleries.
1 Comment
Mr. Detroit
1/8/2017 06:50:53 pm
Nice job maestro!
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