How Not to Find Success in the Artworld and the Smoky Bedroom Gallery
I panted as I marched up what felt like never-ending stairs. My paintings, secured in bubble wrap, were snug under my armpit. My heart raced from the excitement of what was about to happen and from the unexpected cardio.
“This is it,” I thought to myself as I opened the doors to a dream come true: a gallery in the center of the city. My life was about to change.
Oh, my life definitely changed, but not in the way I expected. As I walked in, I learned a valuable lesson. What I found was a group of young adults, drunk and high, lounging in a spacious “gallery” surrounded by heaps of artwork.
“Hello?” I peered in, wondering if I was even in the right place.
No answer.
I tried to find someone who seemed least intoxicated.
“Hello, I’m here to drop off some art for the show. Am I in the right place?”
A man lazily walked over.
“Yeah, man, just drop it off on the bed.”
“The bed?!”
At this stage of my life, I felt I had no choice but to comply.
I reluctantly placed my precious paintings on the bed, next to a dazed young man smoking a cigarette, who barely noticed me.
“Thank you! When is the opening?”
“Friday.”
Okay…
I walked back down the stairs, perplexed and concerned for my art. I remember thinking that one day I'd have to write about this experience. Was this how one makes it in the art world? This self-proclaimed gallery was esteemed. They were regularly featured in popular blogs and local news. I believed that by “getting in,” I was advancing my art career.
What I didn’t know as a naïve 23-year-old was that creating your own gallery opportunities could be just as powerful.
It might seem obvious now, but back in the day, I wasn’t getting invites to prestigious shows, so I thought I had to persevere until a breakthrough came.
That breakthrough did come when I stopped relying on others who didn't have my best interests at heart.
Gradually, I began selling at venues I personally approached. These might not have been featured by top art blogs, but genuine art enthusiasts visited and made purchases!
A modest gallery in a rural town sold many of my pieces and even earned me a newspaper feature.
The takeaway? There are genuine galleries that rally for their artists, and there are those that merely pretend to while pursuing their own agendas. It took me years to distinguish between the two.
But while you're discerning, why not craft your own opportunities? Creating your own art show might just be the stepping stone to attract that dream white cube gallery or become an independent artist with a dedicated collector base.
Common Misconceptions I've Learned About the Art World:
- Just because it's a gallery doesn't mean it will help you be seen or generate sales.
- Other galleries won't look down on you if you create your own opportunities; they'll respect you.
- You can still use your epic failures as lessons and share stories to help others.
Learn more here and learn how to create your own well-attended art show today.
