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Are You an Exhibitionist?
I've never heard of an artist uninterested in exhibiting. I know of artists who have declined invitations to show at a specific time or venue, but never of an artist who has "retired" from exhibiting. Lately, however, I have been questioning that impulse to exhibit that seems to be a given in the mindset of artists as changes continue to rock the arts industry.
The non-profit galleries are reeling with lost operating revenue - either already or predicted for the future. The Vancouver Art Gallery, I believe, is operating with an accumulated deficit of approximately $1 million.Commercial galleries are reporting a decline in sales that has them looking at lower prices and lower commissions while operating expenses continue to increase. These pressures combine to increase the role of the marketplace/money in visual art presentation. Artists who exhibit are often facing increasing exhibition costs and declining sales.
For me there have always been two reasons for having a show: sales or critical response. These were simple, clear objectives that made it easy to quantify the success of the exhibition experience: either there was a desired level of sales or there wasn't; either there were published or broadcast critical reviews or there weren't. And, if there were reviews, the sophistication of the publication and the reputation of the critic could yield additional objective evaluation criteria.
The global economic crisis seems to be driving a reinvention of unfettered capitalism as we have known it, and one outcome of change is that print media is in free-fall in terms of advertising revenue, and the financial shortfall has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the frequency and/or quantity of critical journalism.
In other words, one of the most valued outcomes of having an exhibition is now significantly compromised. The percentage of exhibiting visual artists enjoying creditable critical review in North America is probably lower now than it has been for decades, so artists have to ask themselves: "Why am I seeking to exhibit?"
As I have said, wanting a show is part of the unquestioned mindset of most visual artists, but you have to consider your desired outcomes before you invest the time (and often the considerable money) it takes to mount a successful exhibition.
Obviously, if you are exhibiting with a private (commercial) gallery, sales are an important expected outcome – otherwise how can the gallery make money? But artists cannot "offload" the sales role to the gallery – exhibition sales success requires a joint venture between the artist and the gallery. The Artist Run Centre network and social-profit community galleries are where artists show who can create work free of any concerns for the marketplace.
I have said it before: sales practices are dramatically changing. As you watch the automotive industry change its products and the values its products represent, as the information industry moves online and out of print media, and as consumers change their patterns in a rapidly changing marketplace, the visual artist/self-employed small business person must also re-evaluate how they do business and what role exhibiting is to play in the "master plan."
Look at what it takes to sell a home now. There is a whole new industry of "stagers" who design your home for sale. Simply tidying up, cleaning and storing stuff doesn't work any more. You have to get new appliances and re-decorate now to sell quickly and to get your price. The way we sell everything is changing, as must the way you sell your art.
Cars are sold with rebates now, all former options included and "employee pricing". Airline tickets and other environmentally unfriendly products are bundled with carbon-offset options for the consumer with a conscience. Manufacturers are either redesigning their products or how they sell their products.
I have no idea how many artists "make money" as a result of having an exhibition. I know there are those who do, but I also know a considerable percentage of those who think that they make money, don't – not when you consider all their costs plus a fair hourly wage for the time investment in the creation of their inventory and preparation of their show and all the administrative costs (both real and in time).
After saying all this, you might think I am against having an exhibition. Obviously, I am not. But I advocate the conscious, practical approach to exhibiting that is undertaken with the intention of bringing a fair return to the artist, however "fair" is defined.
Know what you are doing when you get involved with exhibiting, and determine all your true costs before saying "yes" to an invitation to show. And know your expected outcomes and be fully engaged with your exhibition partners in ensuring that they are achieved. No matter what outcomes you desire, they can be achieved with a good plan created by you and your exhibition partners.
About Chris Tyrell
Chris is an artist and the successful writer of the book Artist Survival Skills. He teaches two courses at Emily Carr, gives workshops throughout the lower mainland, and maintains a lively community at his website: www.artistsurvivalskills.com.
Comments
Thanks for this. I'm not a self-employed artist, just doing it in my spare time at the moment, but you're right, the idea of an art show is in the back of my head almost every time I do a painting, even if it's a gift that I'm going to give away the next day. So you got that right in my opinion, & a lot of what you say about the current market makes sense as well.
Thanks for giving me something to ponder.
Danielle
Yes!
After being with several galleries who closed their doors, sometimes before I got my chance to have a solo show, after spending monies on invitations & wine & nibbles only to sell enough to just break even, after going with a gallery who all of a sudden decides to start charging fees for shows, well...
I am now working with a lovely little health type shop called Water Lily Supplement Resource Centre in Toronto...No, it's not a gallery per se...But, I have 3 beautiful paintings on display all the time (not just for a 4 week thing), & the commission I give is a fair one third, instead of the 50% I had been offered by so-called galleries...
The lady who owns Water Lily is a businessperson, not a failed or beginner artist who couldn't get into galleries who decided to pay money to have their own & who competes with the artists showing with them...(I know you know what I am talking about here!)...
My website indicates that any of my works can be brought to Water Lily in person, if they would like a closer view...I also state that any & all purchases online or from my studio still give commission to Water Lily...(don't you just hate artists who get a spot & then cut out the person who gave them legitimacy?)...
Because my work is up all the time, my business cards have the address right on them- & I don't have to have "opening parties" because the work is always there, so no need for rush...I don't pay money to show so my costs are low...
Also, the owner is kind & nice , unlike the "gallery girls" who man the desks & are snobby & rude & often have their own art as the true agenda...
This is my way of dealing with the slim pickings...The other thing that is nice is that because I am working with a cool health supplement place, it is fun for me to stop by...Also, I don't have competition from a bunch of other artists...
When I started out I used to show in alternative locations...Then, for years I worked with galleries...Now I am back to the alternative thing...When sales are slower it becomes so much more important for me to be happy with where I am showing...
Plus, I also think that Where you show is part of the originality of your art...(not just What you show)...
Thanks for writing about this subject, I hope others will benefit,
Sari Grove
p.s. one of my sites is http://www.grovecanada.biz (if you want an online look- of course, Water Lily is at Yonge & Davisville if anyone needs a protein bar with their art...)
Yes, I am an exhibitionist...there, I've said it.
I have, in fact, just hung 14 pieces at Moka House at Fisherman's Wharf (and thank you Opus, for having the supplies I needed when I needed them) for the month of November. My intent is to use the exhibition to drive sales through my online gallery, and will only sell the exhibited pieces themselves if the buyer will wait until the end of the run to take them off the wall.
Certainly the market is changing, and this article is very timely. I'm new to the Vancouver Island market, and new to doing this full time as well...having decided that this uncertain market was the perfect time to gleefully abandon my IT management career to pursue photography as a full time endeavor. An interesting choice on my part, but one where being aware of my goals and changing patterns in buying are critical success factors. Thanks for the thought-provoking commentary at a perfect time.
Harrison Lansing
p.s. the works now on exhibit are here: http://www.harrisonlansing.com/Exhibitions/Moka-House-Exhibition-Nov-2009
I have been an artist for several years, doing mostly painting and some ink work.
And honestly, I can tell you that I have never wanted to exhibit my work.
I do sell some, in case you thought maybe I wasn't in it for profit at all ;)
But realistically, I do it because I enjoy creating and that's it. I probably wouldn't do it as a career even if it was avalible to me.
So to you, who has never met an artist who doesn't want to exhibit, you should meet me XD
I think it is definitely true that art galleries have a 'bad reputation', because it seems more important to them to exhibit what they think is 'en vogue', or fashionable, not what the general public might like, so it presents a very limited glimpse into the art world.
The galleries should have regular exhibits of newcomers (such as myself, I've only been painting 2+ years) in order to expose them to the public and let the public decide who is 'in' and who they don't like. I've been staying away from them so far, and have sold a few paintings in our local esoteric store (I paint Mandalas, so the theme fits right in).
My website, for anyone interested: www.artforthesoul.jimdo.com (it is a free site, can't afford to pay one for now)
Nice viewpoints. In today's market an artist has all the marketing tools they need to make a steady income with their art right in their own studios via computer. It's good to exhibit but it's even better just sending out paintings and prints to galleries and collectors and taking your cut without having to leave your studio and still keep your collectors engaged in your activities yourself, after all it's YOU they want to know. Self promotion is making it's way into every aspect of art today. In the end, it's up to you to decide how successful you want to be and apply the proper marketing skills to get there.
www.shawnaerback.com
I certainly agree with what you said. The global recession, with its rampant greed and lack of morality, has caused changes in every phase of life. From what I can see, the art galleries are not helping emerging artists establish themselves, but are only looking for sales from well-known artists to boost their bottom line in this hard time. As an emerging artist myself, I have been very fortunate to have had two shows at Carmelo's Restaurant in West Vancouver where my sales were very good. I believe all artists must think differently about what to create and how to show their work. Thank you for this timely article. My web site is patriciarvaughan.som
I am going into my second year as president of the board for an artist run arts centre, here in Calgary. From the beginning of last year, I have recognized a change in the art community from buyers to sellers to students to viewers and as a result have begun thinking of ways we can adapt. This artist run centre has always focused on selling and helping artists to learn about the commercial aspect of making art. Things such as proper framing, pricing, labelling, exhibiting and all other things that go with presenting a show & sale to the public. I have been wanting to change our focus to a more educational and experimental exhibition space. This article has helped to clarify this need for change.
Now I just have to figure out how the organization can still make some money from this type of space to make up for lost commission income.
www.artpoint.ca
Hi all,
I'm still a grade 10 student in Gleneagle Secondary School. I'm very engaged into art and it'll definitely be my career path. And now I got this e-mail from OPUS, I have a question. Are students like me will be able to exhibit our artwork in public?
But it will be such a great opportunity if I could. =)
Hi Christine,
Many factors affect the decision to exhibit an artist. While you are learning, it is reasonable to expect that you are not ready to exhibit your work. While you are a student, the kind of exhibition to aim for is critique sessions with your peers and mentors.
By showing your work to your fellow students and your teachers, and inviting feedback, you will gain insights and valuable training from them.
I encourage you to talk to your teacher to see if she/her has plans for critique sessions for your class and or school-wide for all the students of your school.
Critique sessions are best done in a small enough group during enough time for every participant to have 10-15 minutes in which to show their work and explain its origins and purpose, and time for the class and teacher to ask questions and make comments. A valuable tool for visual arts career development is feedback.
You should aim to show publicly when you are finished your training, and with the passion you have for art and your clear focus for your career, I am SURE you will succeed, Christine.
Best wishes and good luck,
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you for informing me!
Yes, I know I still need a lot to improve and I was just wondering. :)
But I will ask my art teachers about the critique session and they will help me A LOT.
Thank you once again and best wishes,
Christine
Of course you can exhibit--just find a local cafe or shop. I suggest shows at your secondary school, as well. However, should you? So many times, people think that they're ready to show but just need more more work with their medium, along with good teachers and feedback.
Hi Jeanine,
Thank you for sharing. :)
I like the idea of local cafe or shop. I think it's pretty neat. One of my art teachers once talked about having art works at a small cafe where group of artists meet once a month or something but I was only grade 8.
I will and I still am working on my art works and when I am ready, it'll be great to have them exhibited!
Thank you,
Christine
I just wanted to pitch in my voice as someone who makes are primarily for the joy of creation and could be happy never showing it. Not to say that I haven't had shows, nor that I'm not taking some photos down to a gallery tomorrow (I am!), but I do that mostly because I'm supposed to.
I have a Diploma of Visual Arts from Camosun, a Diploma of Professional Photography from WAP and a Bachelor's from Emily Carr (Photo Major) and struggled the whole time with the idea that you MUST SHOW YOUR ART. Of course in Photography you work for other people, so that's a different thing all together.
But, there is the idea that all art is communication - that you are trying to communicate with an audience with your art.
I am not.
I very very rarely think of an audience when I am making art, or taking photos, unless I am creating something for a client, a specific call for submissions, or when I was in school of course I had to consider these things.
What I did learn is school is that you have to have exhibitions to get recognition to get grants. That is my primary motivation in exhibiting, but now that Arts funding is tanking like the Titanic, I have to wonder why I want to show at all as there will soon be no grants (Canada Council etc) to apply for.
Of course it would be different if I was a skilled watercolor painter (ie very appealing commercial wall art) as I would be able to sell art more readily than the experimental materials/concept based work that I enjoy.
That said, I have also never been under the impression that I could live off of "my art" and I am very happy with a "day job" that pays the bills.
Yes, as usual the world is changing; the values, preferences, necessities and our looks.
I have learned many things through the article and other’s opinions. But there are some problems in this changing:
First of all is that I want to escape from the artificial light of all kind of monitors. How can I visit a gallery on internet and enjoying seeing the works? Secondly sometimes I want to touch, smell or stay in the atmosphere of a real gallery so as to get intuition or something like that. I want to see the eyes of artists having no curtain or cover. In this era we have enough subjectivity of minds. But the financial problems is yet unsolved. You are right.
My website is there: www.farzademami.com
I appreciate you Chris for I have learned many from your article.
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