He’s right. These are the key point I’ve taken so far Art world “needs” for success - professionalism: in social situations and in the look presented in webpage/media - accessibility: being known in the network and easily found on the internet/social media - network: being present in the community and actively engaging with others in the community - passion: overall indulging in the scene of and outright doing it for the amor of art
I am confused. All my fellow artist struggle with Instagram now. We are not visible at all. Only 1% of our followers have a chance to see our content, which is discouraging and devastating. If they paid for ads after they stop paying- their visibility got even worse. We are getting "shadowbans" for repeating the same hashtags, although, what other hashtags can we use when we provide art content?! (it's not spam). We are getting censored and forced to create silly reels where the main focus is not what we create but actually how we present it. The sillier, the better...and best in seven seconds. Where are honesty and hard work go? I am saying this on behalf of artists I know. We all got truly hurt now with this platform. We were building community and portfolio for many years, only to be punished by algorithms and unfair games...I know it sounds negative, but that's the bitter truth, and are getting to feel hopeless... any advice? Thank you, with love Agata
I am an artist, and I have been considered paying for promotion on instagram because it getting really hard to people see my work. But you now say that paiing for ads its not a good choice cause it will decrease the visibility after, rigth? We all kinda desesperate for regonition, the gallerys are satured, the contests too, the instagram the same...
@@hellojuuh846 HI, yes, it's very challenging this time. I haven't tried paid ads myself, but several of my friends- all had the same experience...but if you feel like trying you should...who knows, maybe it was a coincidence? best wishes, A.
@@TrinaMerry Yes, but as an fine artist, and not a artist/influencer, in my opinion tik tok and short time videos, or shot time anything, is not a good investment plus the audience is young and not the niche I'm personaly looking for.
@@hellojuuh846 I make a living as an artist through promotional videos on TikTok. No costs. Instagram and Facebook are Zuckerberg's best scams. Give him nothing. .
I think that this video is really accurate on how this art machine works. In the end, if you want to be considered a serious "artist" you can't walk straight with your chin up just like a regular human being, you have to crawl like a worm to please all the many actors that revolve around the art world. at least, if you want to be accepted. I love art, I have done it for many years but I am afraid I am not cut out to live or behave like a worm. Maybe I should just accept it and paint only for me....and my cats. Good luck to everybody and thanks to CAI for speaking the truth.
Hi Laura, thank you for tuning in. I believe it is possible to stay in line with the 'expected behavior' for artists to be considered as a serious artist without having to 'crawl like a worm'. The less you do the better in fact, so simply having a professional artist website and sharing your work on Instagram can be enough. Up next, it's all about hard work in the studio, providing quality art, and possibly applying to some artist opportunities to increase your exposure. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue thank you for your reply. I have been following you guys on youtube and your website. I really value your content and efforts and I hope one day, after the hard work is done, I will be able to find my way. Maybe then I'll be ready to reach you for some private query. Thank you for being so nice with people like me.
Laura I think this is valid of many of not most careers though. You work very hard to get noticed and then things take off… Think of the very basic example of a 9-5 blue collar worker going above and beyond to be noticed by a manager in order to get a promotion where they will no longer have to do certain things while earning much higher. That said, I am a bit like you. The game of hoping to please someone doesn’t work for me; I would rather go above and beyond to get something while cutting the middle part of “pleasing someone who will give me a chance out”. But that path takes two to three times the amount of work, emotional strength, resilience and determination. But for me it is worth it. And if it is for you, just keep on being resilient and learning all you can from feedback. Best of luck!
@@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122 “People don’t buy original fine art pieces” is both general and wrong. Here is my example. I am in my early thirties, never had an interest in art until very recently and I am fast becoming an avid collector of work by emerging artists. From prints to photography to sculpture I spend some time each day looking for artists at the beginning of their career to give my money to (buy from). Better yet, I am looking at how to manage my finance in such a way that I have more disposable income to buy art I like. And in this journey of mine I have had the immense pleasure to discover that there are actually lots of people just like me who aren’t millionaires but who genuinely enjoy art and actively go out of their way to find new artists whose work they can afford and enjoy tremendously but whom can also benefit the most from the purchase (emerging ones). So, I am not an artist. I don’t know the struggle of artists. So, I cannot relate to that and whether or not it is stupid to chase such a dream. But being on the collector’s side I can say that there are plenty of people out there buying fine arts.
I don’t know if you’ll read this… I want to say how this video shifted something in me today. In a very enlightening way. Not the particular details offered here. Although there is a good, subtle message that is here…I summarize it as a matter of Quality, Subtle Precision and a true Authenticity in a person’s artistic expression. Today I had a flashback through my life and could appreciate where I mostly have lived as an artist. Saying at times that I am an artist. However not getting caught up on it. I could see alllll the design work and other mundane work for a living… carried my mark as my true art self. Being an artist is a matter of living in one’s art self. I can see my body of work that I made time for through my 55 years. Now… this info and perspectives have given a foundation for me to bring to the market and public. It’s interesting that some of the not recommended paths you mention didn’t work for me me anyways. I just couldn’t bend to what was marketable. I also have wound up almost starving. Haha. Just not having found the right path and get any traction. I appreciate being able to have a conversation here. And lol forward to moving forward with positive growth. Thank you for the cost free information you provide. It can go to good use. I find the CAI website hard to navigate and find these articles there without clicking through from these videos. I have a question about missing information on a resume. Like say… taking part in BBC a show many years ago and no longer having the gallery information. How that may be handled on the CV? Take care and you do a good job off essentially saying it is about being human and being accepted in creating and having some taste. That is what I understand.
I just came back from the Art Basel Miami weekend, and I’m glad this video is posted. Specially on point 5. I had several conversations with gallerists. In Basel self I didn’t expect nothing, but in other fairs like Aqua, Ink (print art fair) and Untitled, I had conversations and at certain point I was asked if I was an artist, this opened for deeper conversations and interests, and I also got some link to submit my artwork, and also possibilities of co-lab. That I find was a successful investment in traveling for art.
My advice get your art noticed by young audiences on social media, you never know who’s going to become a patron of yours. If you’re good at portraits there’s always a market for that.
Nº1) Be independently wealthy AND have connections ...or at least an expensive PR agent. Nº2) DO NOT SELL ONLINE, DO NOT MARKET YOURSELF IN ANY WAY. Nº3) Wait until you are asked by a curator or gallery to join an exhibit or roster by some miracle. DO NOT phone or contact them! Nº4) If all else fails, marry Larry Gagosian.
You nailed it !! There is no other explanation as to why you see certain " artists " in art galleries at all. More importantly maybe, find a gullible fool who is prepared to part with a truck load of money ( probably of highly dubious origin to start with), have an agent or an auction house talk your work up to high heaven and Bingo - there goes the money-go-round ! The " artist " might then be well advised not to buy a truck load of drugs, even though they might be useful in artistic " inspiration ".
I am an artist living on a remote island in the developing world, there is one local vanity art gallery.I have done art as a hobby for 20 years but only since COVID started putting my work out there digitally. My sales are not significant compared to my stock of artworks. The art market here is very small, also the region does not have a pedegree of visual artists. I have started putting my work in the digital forum which I have access to. My question is how do I get access to those places where my art can be shown since I am at a geographical disadvantage to 1.physically network 2.face issues of shipping 3. do not have the pedegree due to being a self trained artist. In my art work I feel comfortable with what I produce but some pieces more than others. Advice appreciated.
I am curious if he will reply to you, I appreciate your question. I glad you persevere in whatever ways you can to network. He does have a video or two on how location affects your career.
@@RachelRinerThanks. Its kinda like that scene in Ozark, with Ruth and the rapper talking about Tupac, so close yet so far.. It is just getting the right person, its a challenge for lower groupings to interact with wealth because art is a status signal,think pineapples -lol (culturally, morally etc) not necessarily an aesthetic or emotional medium. If an individuals group is perceived by the larger society as having nothing to say by the gatekeepers, well then you don't get in and wither on the vine. Albert_ Laszio Barabasi did some research if you are interested.
Once again, these ideas have followed my research since my undergrad pup years, and I concur with your advice for the modern-day artist practitioner. Certain other books on art practice follow this advice, which is to say that it is good, sound advice that has been around for a long while. Thank you for making this video.
This guy is so GREAT! Well thought out… compassionate…. Realistic… honest… caring and informative. Brother in creativity… thank you so much for your in depth contribution here. You’re a rare gem. You’ve helped me in ways immediate, and also yet to unfold. Thank you.
Hi Ethan, thank you so much for your most kind words. I really appreciate it! The pleasure is all mine. Wishing you all the best in art and in life in general. Stay in touch!
Regarding having a youtube channel: does this hold true even if you have someone else - or pretend to be someone else - making videos of your group/solo exhibitions or showcasing individual art works? I'm asking because I'm seeing many established artists who have videos on youtube showcasing their artworks, documenting their exhibitions, studio etc., even if it's not on "their" TH-cam channel.
For clarity: If someone like a gallery director or art collector ask if you are an artist, are they looking for a simple yes or no, or is there more subtlety involved? Also, is there more to "being an artist" than creating works?
I follow all your advice mentioned here and have been a finalist for a few awards including the National Contemporary Art Award a few years ago, however I've been 10 years in NZ now and still cannot get representation. I luckily had some in the UK before my move, 2 of which I kept up before they closed their doors to retire. I've been told the reason I can't find any here is because of a shortage of galleries, that owners are already finding it hard to do the artists they represent justice. People who visit my studio do not understand why I am not represented, so clearly there is something I'm missing. What would suggest ? Should I venture outside of NZ?
Yes, I would definitely consider venturing outside of NZ. The gallery scene in genuine art cities such as Paris, Berlin, London, New York, LA, or Seoul, is where the magic happens. There is a reason why there are so many galleries in those areas, so there is a lot more opportunity there for artists.
@@contemporaryartissue there is a lot of galleries here in LA but there are almost 2 million artists as well it’s very difficult I know many struggling artists
Thank you for that advice, I did follow it in the end and travelled twice to Sydney. The second trip I was offered a show for 2024. It's not representation yet but it is definitely a move in the right direction. After 11 years here with little response, it suddenly gave me more confidence, which led me to procure two more solos in NZ :) .
That's very important to keep in mind as to generally behave for the good sake of your own professionalism and professional coherence. I'll keep in mind your suggestions 👏👍
@@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122 I'm still learning as a student and a human being and also not as a native English speaker. So get away with your comments if you're not coming to help, I'm not saying I'm a master so please shut up
I appreciated this video so much! Question: Should artists have business cards? My husband had them but since you mentioned marketing being frowned upon, is that a form of marketing?
Outdated advice. We live in a different world now. The goal of a real artist is to make art full time and being financially successful enough to continue to do so. No “being discovered” (which is ego driven) and galleries’ help needed at all in modern times especially in USA and Asia. USA accounts for the biggest portion of global sales, and a lot of successful artists I know do have a shop on their website. Some of them became so commercially successful they have their own gallery now and their work is in museums as well. So you know, there are new ways to go about it nowadays. Being commercially successful is not ‘frowned upon’ in America. Maybe in the old fashioned Europe clinging desperately to the old ways. Most art sales happen in USA and Asia anyway. Just check out the statistics.
There is commercial success, simply selling your work... and there is critical success. Please don't confuse the two. He is addressing critical success.
@@diannelawrence8921 critical success is ego driven and there’s a hidden agenda for the galleries to push artists towards it and not becoming independent because they are financially motivated. There’s no any kind of critical success in our modern world without commercial one, unfortunately. No gallery will show your work (for free) unless they are sure it will sell. This is the world we live in. Galleries are in business to make money, after all.
@@olga.klimova sorry, but some paintings/artwork are better than others. All galleries want to make money and some of them show work that has greater critical value than others. Owning your own gallery to sell your own art means you are a good salesperson with a product people want. Doesn't mean you are a great painter.
Binging all you videos. I’m currently shifting from being a commercial fashion designer to a textile artist. Any advice on how to utilize my website until I have high quality work? Should I remove my previous work? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I believe you should indeed filter your work as much as possible. Kill your darlings! But there is no harm to have a sub-page/category with 'older works', but once again only your very best ones. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you SO much for this--it's the first time I've seen all the unwritten rules actually "written"! I am curious about one thing: visual artists sometimes use pseudonyms and also established artists even sometimes have an alter-ego who creates different work than what they are known for. How is this seen in the "art world"? I put out some early career "decor" work I'm not proud of including some really lowbrow work, and had a certain amount of success with it before finding my voice, but was later away from art for almost a decade due to chronic illness. I do have an exhibition history including one good public institutional showing listed on artfacts from after I started making true "art"--but it was still for a completely different type work than what I am making now. Ten years later, I don't know if it's better to try and use my own name and history or start fresh. Many thanks for these videos and any additional insight you choose to offer! 🙏
@cowboycacti Haha no worries, glad it inspired and thanks for sharing. I go back and forth on it. Luckily I have a few months to decide as I build up my body of new work before submitting to anything. The thought of starting fresh is daunting but you're right about the work--I would only be starting fresh from a business standpoint, as the art has been developing for twenty years. Still, an empty CV is kind of depressing after a full one that I worked so hard for! I have also wondered if there is a compelling story I can tell about this ten year gap as a period of metamorphosis in my own development and the development of my work, which is 100% true. Scrub the worst of the old work from the internet wherever I can (being that it's old there is less online because people weren't so obsessive about social media back in 2009 lol!) allow the old work that is acceptable to me (though very different from the current work) to remain out there and account for it as "pre-metamorphosis"... we shall see!
of course, there's also the fact that my given name doesn't feel like the most marketable name in the world, plus studies show women perform better under an alias (male or female) when writing math tests... okay, art isn't a math test, but, like math, it is an area whose historical cannon conditions us to believe men are better at it. As a big introvert I think it's even possible using an alias or alter-ego might free me to produce better art. As I said, I go back and forth!
I'm wondering if there's a way of combining the two so it's an "open secret" where name change makes sense in light of the metamorphosis and ten year gap, but I don't have to feel awkward or ashamed to reveal anything to collectors or gallerists if I'm asked directly about my history or that I have to leave behind the positive aspects of my history. I think this may be the best path for me if I can figure out how to have the best of both worlds. Maybe as simple as hyphenating my last name with my husband's since he has been such a huge support for me and my career anyway--though perhaps it's too close to my old name.
Hi Julien, thanks so much for this video, and all the others which I've found extremely useful and interesting. When you say don't have a webshop, do you mean you shouldn't allow for direct purchasing from your site? How would you sell? Also, do you advise against having the prices on your website? thanks. (I do not have a website yet, and so far have sold via Saatchi, to friends and at a charity exhibition. Zero sales via Instagram which I use the most)
Thanks for this advice and taking the time. However, can i ask why artists should take your advice? who are you and what makes you qualified to offer this? thanks :)
A very fair and important question-especially on a platform such as TH-cam known for its "Guru's." Feel free to check my credentials at "about your host" in the description or at our "mission" page when it comes to advice for artists here: www.contemporaryartissue.com/mission/
What if an artist wants to write a letter of introduction to a gallery which is a too far to easily visit in person? Should he/she include their website or photos of their work? Or perhaps request an in person interview with the gallery director but not show the work? Your suggestions. Ed
Hi love your Channel! You said to post only your best work on a website but what if you have series of older work that you want to show somewhere? Is it acceptable to have a archive page somewhere?
Dear Francisca, thank you for tuning in and for a very good question. As long as you are still proud of your older work, it is perfectly possible to have it on your website. You can organize your work chronologically so it will be clear that the series in question is from a while back.
It was really surprising to see a video with a painter walking down the street where I used to live a couple of years ago. It's Repin Street (Russian painter), near the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg. Thank you for your videos )
I am a Beginning Artist looking to become an Emerging Artist in a few years, but as of now I am still building up my skills. However, I do run a small art business where I create coloring books, stickers, and I sell limited edition prints of my original works. Furthermore, I created a logo for this art business, and I wanted to know if that "Logo" and my art dealings would harm my chances of being discovered as an Emerging Artist in the future? Thank you!
If you work as an illustrator or graphic designers, I would simply advise you to keep your "commercial" work separate from your artistic work-e.g. not sharing your commercial work on your instagram or artist website. Good luck!
Insightful advice. However, wondering whether these principles are universal, i.e., applicable around the world instead of European / western world views?
Hi Mike DL, great question. With the high end art world being very globalized, but focusing predominantly on North-America, Europe, and Asia, these principles are universal in those spheres.
Can you recommend websites that host minimal artist portfolios? I don’t mean behance or shopify. Many of these artist sites don’t have any clue as to where they are being hosted.
Hi Dan, excellent question. ArtLogic offers some great websites for artists but the monthly subscription is rather expensive. We'll be doing a video on how to create a professional and minimal artist website yourself, providing a design template to work with. So stay tuned!
how do I make connections with galleries and curators internationally as an experienced artist with a good body of work but has just started showcasing now? is there a right way to do it?
Hi there, thank you for tuning in. There are numerous strategies to network with collectors and curators-too many to discuss in a comment section; think of Instagram networking strategies, in-field strategies, art opportunities, collaborating with artists, participating in events/lectures, et cetera. Feel free to stay tuned for more career advice for artists! :-)
As a member of the ASD community, this smacks of artistic masking. "Don't do what's natural for you, or what makes sense to you - do what non-artists who own these galleries want you to do instead." That breaks the first tenet of art, "There are no rules." I say, forget the galleries. You won't make as much $ with them anyway. Just put up your own site, do your own social media advertising, and set your own prices. If galleries want good artists, they'll honor that first tenet rather than ignoring it.
Hi there, thank you for tuning in. I never stated you shouldn't do what is natural for you. There are numerous career paths to discover and you must follow the path you feel fits best to you. I believe this article might help: www.contemporaryartissue.com/artist-career-paths/ There are no rules in art, but if you want to get somewhere in the art world, there are some rules outside of your studio walls if you want to become successful. Marketing your own art works fine as well, but you'll reach a ceiling much sooner in comparison with the gallery circuit.
Very interesting. A couple of questions that came to mind … So I guess (as an artist) Patreon accounts or live streaming falls under the self-promotion category? That is, it’s a no-no? Also, Instagram is okay but lately is promoting Reels over static posts. In what way should artists use Reels, if at all?
Hi there, thank you for tuning in and for the excellent questions. The case for Patreon is 50/50 in my opinion. But promoting your Patreon other platforms can indeed be too much of self-promotion, so the question is if its worth it (depending on the income). Instragram has indeed been acting incredibly annoying for artists who take their work seriously. Creating reels often results in progress videos but I believe this is not the right way to go. Static posts are much more professional and if you create reels, try to remain as professional and high-end possible without things getting too TikTok-ish if you know what I mean. Wishing you all the best!
The art world is globalized so you can become successful from anywhere in the world. However, living in a major art city such as Paris, London, Berlin, or New York, is the ideal situation of course.
Thanks a lot for this great content. Is it acceptable to put a newsletter option on my homepage? So the art lovers can participate from time to time in my new evolving. Thank you for answering this question. Greetings from Germany Jantien
I believe the ideal location to subscribe to a newsletter is on the contact page or even a separate page. It depends from the webdesign of course. Feel free to have a look at our tutorial on how to set up an industry-approved website next. Have a great day!
Thank you for such a detailed advice! If is not too much trouble, can you please name a few acceptable ways for artists to earn living before they get discovered.
All very well, but we have to eat. As a professional artist in my early twenties, I had to work two other jobs just to survive (I was a jailer in a youth prison (I was called a 'relief residential social worker)) and I also worked in a night-time centre that monitored burglar alarms. I got sick. I had to put art aside as a profession and get a day-job. Now forty years later I am trying to become a full-timer again. Now there are now opportunities for sales , so absolutely I will take advantage of online sales venues. As far as the rest of the advice goes, I agree with all of it. I am not commercial, nor am I too 'available' or needy, but at the same time I need some sort of exposure. Despite my day job, I have always been committed to art and managed to exhibit every few years in four countries (to date).
Hi Laurence, thank you for tuning in and for sharing your story. Yes, we have to eat. That's why we always advise having a good work-life-art balance first. Trying to go full-time with your art too soon will only result in financial stress and some bad decisions career-wise. Wishing you all the best!
As a shy and withdrawn person which an artist would tend to be, how do you suppose they should behave? Personality seems to trump talent, do you believe that your video has provided information that would help the introvert develop in the art world? Or would you be willing to make such a video?
How would you advice a visual designer (focused in illustration and animation) to work as a designer at the same time as gearing towards a career in the fine arts. I’m interested in video art and multidisciplinary art and it’s very difficult to get sound advice on how to maintain these two seemingly opposite trajectories
Thanks for your advice - in an opposite way you meant it, i think. After watching a lot of your videos, I am sure that I don't want to become this kind of artist you describe. I mean - I am an artist. But I will post articles to help people on my website if I want so - no matter what "professional gallery owners" think about it. I will also present my work in little regional exhibitions if I want. I will explain my work to neighbours if they ask and so on. In conclusion: I will never give up to be a true artist only to get a "professional artist" - the way you mean it - waiting and begging for gallery-owners or collectors. You talk about puppets for the art-market. I dont't want to be a puppet ...
You don't get his point. He says Don't Beg. If your work is good enough, original enough, stands on the shoulders of what came before, and you are willing to get out and mingle and connect, you will find your way. I know it's convenient for you to call yourself a "true" artist...but are you a Good or even Excellent or even Brilliant artist? Aye and there's the rub.
@@diannelawrence8921 "Good" or even "Excellent" or even "Brilliant" artist!? This is not my decision. I want to be the best artist I can be. But: I am more than just my work. My work is nothing without me - and vice versa.. So I try to live the best life that I could - this means I help people if they want. This may be a regional exposition, an article on my website or advice for my neighbours. When I look at the mechanisms of the art market - and what gallery owners demand - I don't want to be such a puppet.
@@MartinMissfeldt I gave up the naive idea long ago that being a "good" person had anything to do with being a good artist. Some of the greatest artists in history have been absolute scoundrels. Good person and good artist have little to do with each other. Advice about Success in the serious art market are what these videos are for. No shame in not wanting to participate.
@@MartinMissfeldt I discovered long ago that being a "good" person had nothing to do with being a good artist. It sounds like the critical art market is not for you. It's impossible for it to be for everybody. As explained in this video, the number of artists far outweigh the number of galleries.
@@diannelawrence8921 We do not live one hundred years ago, but today. "Greatest artist in history" is another story ... From my point of view being an "good person" will become neccessary to be a "good artist". We will see ... Btw: the actual art market is a lot, but not "serious" - so yes: since the end of my art study at University of Arts Berlin I am proud of not participate in an unserious art market.
Mail ArT is discouraged 😞 ✨️? Why is it discouraged? I was considering... as i am a member of a mail art 🎨 group... i mean... imagine the (isolated) exposure and fun exchange of ArT
Dear Col. Richard Hunter, thank you for your feedback. Normally the audio should be fine. I use a pretty good microphone to records these-or maybe my Dutch accent is making it hard to listen? Nevertheless, thank you for tuning in!
Thank you so much for your content and channel - it is well-informed. If I may ask, what are your thoughts on selling small studies and experimentations for major works to interested buyers - especially those that don’t have a great understanding of fine art and/or a lot of money, but just like the way it looks?
Dear Valerie, thank you for tuning in and for following the channel. If you sell studies to collectors, that's perfectly fine but you should always do it in a discrete manner. The pricing will be a bit lower, which could be annoying for your previous collectors who paid the full price for a major work. When it comes to experimentations, here I would advise you to be careful with selling those. Once you have sold them, you no longer have control of them. In a way, they become part of your 'oeuvre' and the distinction between experimental work and your main work dissolves as soon as you sell the experiment. I hope this might be of help!
@@contemporaryartissue thank you, yes it does help and fits with my understanding of of the art world, which I am re-entering after 25 years and trying to understand how best to use social media as a tool for exposure in the right way. Again, thank you 😊
Hi Charles, thank you for tuning in and two great questions. Simulating art in interior is when you present your art as decoration in an interior. Think of photoshopping your painting above a couch, or in a dining room. This rather unprofessional and frowned upon. Blogging is also rather frowned upon because it feels "hobbyish". You will notice how established artists always remain somewhat elusive, whereas blogging is the opposite of this.
@@contemporaryartissue Thank you Cai for the insight! I have two more questions though. 1. What do you think when an artist creates a gallery out of their interior walls in their home? 2. What do you think when artists display their works in a coffee shop or hotel lobby (for free I'm assuming)?
@@charlesz8531 Two excellent and specific questions. Using your own home to display your art is fine. Make sure to make your home look as much as possible like an art gallery, moving away your furniture and decoration. It's an ideal moment to take great photographs. Regarding your second question, I believe this is fine as long as you aren't exhibiting with galleries. As soon as you have some exhibition opportunities, I would avoid the coffee shops, waiting rooms, and hotel lobbies.
"Serious collectors and serious gallery directors will never scout for artists on those online art marketplaces" - Saying very broad words like never isn't very good advice. I'm a curator, maybe not what you'd define as a "serious" one yet, but I definitely search everywhere for anything; That's how you discover art
He seems to contradict himself by saying that gallery directors never scout for artists on online marketplaces but then says if they see you there that'll put them off you.
Dear Apollo Art Exchange, of course there are still some curators and collectors browsing on Saatchi and Singulart. But it is safe to say the likes of Hans Ulrich Obrist or Thelma Golden do not discover new artists to work with on those platforms. Thank you for tuning in!
@@tessaspanton6891 Dear Tessa, actually I don't. Let's say a gallery director came across your work on Instagram and he or she is interested in you. The next step will be a simple Google of your name and in the search results they will see that you are active on those online marketplaces.
@@contemporaryartissue Thanks for the reply! Just like the Realists and Impressionists we're facing yet another moment where artists aren't forced to choose between "the Academy" or failure and starvation. Those aspiring to be curated by those types may inevitably be forced to cater to those preferred areas of discovery, although at what cost? I'd definitely agree they likely don't browse those platforms, but my point is there are many of these places online. They're going to be missing out on a lot of good art while many small creators will continue to find success by distributing directly to consumers while riding various waves of virality.
Before the art public starts jumping and stomping that the art world is unfair, kindly put yourselves in the shoes of a gallery and ask how you'd give a show to all the 5000 people who approach you with their portfolios every month. This simple excercise will give some clarity.
It isn't the process of getting a show in an important gallery that is unfair. No one expects a gallery owner to hand over shows, we are all willing to earn it, if that is the direction we want to go. What is unfair is that it is still male dominated, that unless you are very well connected or wealthy you are at the back of the line. Intellectual property is not protected now that we have an online global market. We are in a catch 22, a lot of artists believe the "gallery" is dead, they want to be able to sell their own art, establish a following, keep their money mostly because they need to survive. Artists need to work on art full time in order to evolve, create a body of work, if you are temping all day or waiting tables all night, art is back burner. Not many artists have the luxury of waiting around, and attending expensive events in hopes that they will be discovered by not talking about their own art. I understand keeping it pure but I think a younger artist isn't going to have the patience, and the hope that this model is still viable.
Thank you very much for this video. It was a lot of useful information. I have a question: nowadays one becomes an artist not only after art school, many successful contemporary artists come from related fields, such as fashion or graphic design. For example I worked in fashion for over 10 years, but now I only see painting, photography and sculpture as medium for expressing my creativity. How do I put together a resume for people like me without having participated in various group exhibitions, but with serious intentions? thank you in advance.
Why do you want a resume? (So you can give it to a potential group to judge you? and have 1 chance in 10,000 to picked up in a mediocre event, gathering, show?) Just document your art life, make that a big part of your art discipline: documenting everything with video and posting it on social media: Instagram, facebook, twitter, tiktok. And slowly but surely you will get attention.
Hi there, great question. First and foremost, it is indeed crucial to have an artist resume so the gallery or collector can make on informed decision on where you stand as an artist. Even if you don't have a lot to write on your resume, you must have one. You can compile all the factual information so far-think of your year of birth, nationality, where you work and reside, your education, professional experience (e.g. in fashion), and so on. Next, it is up to you to actively improve your resume. Try to host a first exhibition by renting a space (this is better than working with pay-to-play galleries), search for art opportunities on Artenda (contests, awards, open calls for exhibitions), etc. Thank you for tuning in!
Hello. Most of my audience that go to my art, music profiles haven't been through advertising. I don't even mention my art, or music to anyone. I always show up on social networks to read, and post answers like this one. People read profiles.
It seems to me that this advice applies to the mainstream gallery scene, but not to the many new platforms and scenes for artists. I understand that the perceived authority of the mainstream galleries is what attracts big investors, but do you personally believe that that is where the good art lives these days?
Hi Dejan; thank you for tuning in. Yes, I do believe there is great art in today's art galleries. There are different avenues to discover, of course, and everyone should be active in the scene or environment they feel most comfortable. In my case, this is the more traditional gallery circuit and art world. Thank you for your comment and have a great day
@Contemporary Art Issue I am just curious how a petson can align their taste to the market? Surely art should be a visceral, intrinsic, natural experience....if it is to be called art at all.
@Mike Noneofyourbusiness hobby is a terrible word that reeks of a society drinking the kool-aid. There is no such thing as an "artist" or an 'art scene' or a cannon of work. Art is only the actual experience of the person making art, and the interaction of the art with another petson. Everything else is marketing, hype, and salesmanship.....in the name of entirely other pursuits and professions. Salesman, critics, professors, speculators.....
It all comes down to the unwritten rules of the high end art world. Throughout the years, these rules emerged as a set of expectations how one can identify the 'serious' artists and galleries. It is derived from the overall tone and behavior of these leading entities resulting in some do's and don't's for artists if they want to make a career in this sphere of the art world. Peer-to-peer learning
I believe anything over 20 can be too much, especially for emerging artists. With established artists, different metrics are in play of course. Ideally, as a collector and as a gallerist, I prefer editions between 6 and 12.
I am a second year art student, and for funs i did a workshop of silkscreen printing. I had so many prints i thought it would be funny to sell them for a banana a piece, about 36 cents. It was mostly a joke, but a lot of people took it seriously and bought a print. It reflected the tad humorous side of me well, but now i question if i will be taken seriously if people discovered the fact i sold my pieces for some fruit.
You can use it in your advantage as well, going up with prices slightly but surely, you can also say it was during a learning process. And by the time you graduate your art would have more value.
@@tklang-d6s Thank you! Coincidentally, i'll have a second expo next week, making me nervous for it, seeing this encouragement helps me calm for this preparation! I thank you!
@@researchpubs I have been thinking about broadening my visions to other mediums than just Painting, and performances are quiete high on the list, it's very nice to hear you see it like that!
The moment you say 'gallery' i shut down, and you mention them alot. It's such an antiquated system, they're controlling and very expensive. Working with them has the opposite effect of what you should be doing as an artist (freedom to create). If you're an artist, you don't really need them today. That's not to say you shouldn't use them, but get a good deal (negotiate) and stay in control of what you want to do as an artist. This is just my experience and thoughts.
Great video but this is the reason the art world is so fickle don't promote yourself but promote yourself in a world where everybody is promoting it's a very tough line
I disagree with most of this advice. Artists must support themselves in order to create art. Why not work commercially to do that? Get paid very well in commercial art and become an epic painter while earning money. Skills will contribute to the studio practice! And painting commercially is better than a soul-sucking office job. I agree that you must "behave" as an artist and build relationships in the art world but why not do both? No one else will pay the bills. The greatest artists never followed the rules, so do whatever it takes to make art and back yourself. Who cares!
Hi Sheila, thank you for tuning in and for commenting. The greatest artists never followed the rules when it comes to creating art, but when it comes to the art world and the expected professional behavior for artists, we're talking about something else entirely. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue What like Rembrandt you mean who was spurned by the establishment for rejecting their narrow conservative opinions about art and culture, dying in poverty ? Or maybe Van Gogh - no introduction needed ? How about Richard Dadd who spent the best part of his adult life in Bedlam asylum ? Or perhaps Caravaggio who went on the run after killing his father ? Truth is, the great artists of the past didn't have the critical status in their lifetimes which the modern establishment has retrospectively bestowed upon them and in the age of Leonardo were regarded as little more than interior decorators. A great artist, a free spirit, would never lower themselves and their vision by whoring for the approval of authority. Can you imagine Van Gogh on Thick tok ?
from 5 to 10 years? Well, it also depends on where you live, 5 to 10 years if you are born in the first world, 15 to 30 years if you live in the third world. I had to spend more than 18 years painting before being discovered by my current manager who pays me a salary to paint my series and make commissions.
The art world is very globalized today so it is the best time ever for anyone anywhere to make it in the art world. Of course, being in close proximity of major art cities or top education always helps. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue Um, I don't know. I don't see many African artists or latin American artists succeeding worldwide like artists who live in the US and first world countries for example; it's a matter of statistics, simply the vast majority of successful artists are found in those countries. The artists who succeed in third world countries tend to be a very low percentage, and as such globalization has not changed that.
For example, I can tell you, I am a painter, musician, composer, singer, I design cities, I make murals and I play various musical instruments, I am from Venezuela, and here I have performed live multiple times, I have had both individual and collective painting exhibitions, I have done murals, and it was only after 20 or more years of artistic career, and that I managed to leave Venezuela, that I was able to get a patron "manager" here in CDMX (which is the city in Latin America closest to the first world) and it is someone who lives in the USA, and only comes to CDMX from time to time, and he himself tells me that in CDMX there is no artistic life like the one there is in the USA, and imagine that, he is talking about CDMX, which for I, who come from Venezuela, is a city bathed in art and events, fairs, etc. What I want to tell you is that Latin America and most countries in the southern hemisphere have no chance, there are a lot of super talented artists who are losing, they end up giving up and leaving the race due to exhaustion, you have no idea How many hyper mega talented artists, with a huge portfolio, who end up giving up. I was lucky, but it was due to having been persistent and having gone through economic hardships, I'm not saying that an artist from the United States doesn't have an ugly time, of course if there are, I'm not referring to that, what I'm referring to is that the chances of being recognized in Latin America and these countries and extremely low
@@laurinioperdomo7683 Of course, all the galleries, collectors, and institutions supporting artists are in the first world, so, of course, it is easier to succeed. However, what I meant is that today there are more opportunities for third-world countries than 20 years ago. Social media and art opportunities specifically for international artists are great ways to achieve success while residing and working outside the main hotspots of the art world.
@@contemporaryartissue Of course, there's no doubt about it. Well, thanks to social networks, I actually have a patron now, providing me with a salary to literally paint. Very few people in first-world countries, let alone third-world countries, have that kind of opportunity, so I feel very fortunate.
Behance is a good free app to post images of your art . Not a ton of traffic but it does show up on artists name google searches. The picture quality and view is also good on Behance. Not as good as Insta but a good free way to showcase your art .
Behance is indeed a nice alternative, but I feel like the galleries and collectors are still sticking to Instagram with mostly artists also trying out Behance. As a result, it is great place to see work by other artists, but not a great place to get discovered-so far. Thank you for tuning in, wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue Are Instagram paying you? It's laughable, a global scam, just like Facebook. Artists don't do well on these places. You are completely out of touch..
@@heraldeventsandfilms5970 Not at all. Instagram is a free platform-so I am unsure how it qualifies as a scam. I have generated a lot of sales and discovered some great new artists on Instagram. Even though I don't like Instagram's recent changes, my experience remains positive in general
@@contemporaryartissue It is a means of gathering information and selling it to criminals. The scammers who piggy-back it are not censured either. Along with Facebook, It is the biggest scam, ever.
the sucsess of artist is in creating the art he wont to create' to achieve the level of expression and the power of his images. The promotional success have nothing to do with it... It mostly result of public relations and promotion activity....
@@dnlgrmn7169 Hi there, I am not really sure on this one. From my experience, promoting yourself as an artist with paid ads on Instagram is rather frowned upon. Even more, I believe when approaching the right art pages for your type of art, a paid post on a large Instagram page can give you more "bang for your buck".
Ironically, some of the GREATEST artists in the history of time would NOT take the path of establishing a social media presence, etc, if they were an aspiring artist today. Some people create art for the sake of creating art. That said, faaar too many artists are indeed ignorant to the business side of things.
You mean artists just secretly do their work in a jungle hoping someone hears a falling tree? Artists, - the successful ones - have been cutthroat, ambitious and great at marketing themselves. If the successful ones don't have much of a social media presence now, its because they don't need it now. The rest have to keep doing the drill.
@@figuredrawing4912 Exceptions always exist. For every Mr Da Vinci, there are hundreds of counterexamples. Take Picasso for example. For Jeff Koons. Julian Schnabel. Tracey Emin. Damian Hirst. Andy Warhol. Rauchenberg. The list is endless.
I believe today this all has to do with the personality of the artist. Some artists are more introvert and focus on creating art and build their career in a more indirect manner-depending on their representation-whereas others are great at networking and simply enjoy working on their career.
I disagree with so many things in this video. I’m making a (very good) living from my art as a fulltime artist and this “advise” is SO discouraging for artists.
Hi there, thank you for tuning in. It can be discouraging indeed, but it is the truth if you want to make it in the high end contemporary art world. Of course, there are other ways of making a living as an artist, but you will reach your plateau sooner than when trying to find your way in the gallery circuit.
this video makes some sense, put clear that art is - as any other luxury product - working over scarcity and simbolic capital / value... more capitalistic avant gard than this, impossible. Art, the ultimate product of the future, value built from nothing but ideas, concepts and schems of validation (peer 2 peer). but, who really profits with them?
The algorithm brought up this video for me, however, I couldn't go over the first 10 min without fast-forwarding. I'm an “educated” artist and I believe education is fundamental for culture 😅, obviously. As for “critical art” I don't believe these words can describe real art. Most of those critical artists are nothing more than realtors. Art is poetry, science, and philosophy altogether.,art market, galleries, and biennials translate the essence of art and the meaning of the “critical”. The problem fundamentally is that human beings are fragmented/fragments of consciousness thus they do not know how to be, as they are in appearance only. I'm not sure how relevant still is the conversation around critical discourse.
You do not necessarily need to have a lot of followers to make it in the art world. There are various other ways. For instance, artists winning renowned art contests are almost never famous on social media. So no need to despair :-) Thank you for tuning in!
So how are emerging artists supposed to sell their art if they can’t post their work as for sale on their site? They’re just supposed to be poor and cross their fingers?
I highly HIGHLY disagree with your "no TH-cam channel, no TikTok, Instagram does work" statement. Artists are doing the exact opposoite of what you're saying
It all depends what type of artist you want to be, and of course how you profile yourself on these platforms. If you create professional studio interviews, and pursue your artistic purposes in the first place, then you are all right. If you go for a more 'vlog' style type of videos, pursuing views and likes, then the professional art galleries will probably opt out on working with you.
From what I read it's a matter of manipulating the algorithm. As it is is as it's always been. It's not what you know but who you know and money talks. The more $ you have the more serious people see you
I wouldn't describe networking and being an active participant in the art world as manipulating an algorithm. Of course, money helps if you have a large studio and are able to visit all the art events. But with little money, you can also be taken very serious in the art world.
@@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122 We have a small gallery program, and we sell approximately 40-50 pieces of original fine art per year. Further, personally, I am also a young contemporary artist, and I sell approximately 20-30 pieces per year via my galleries. So from my experience, I disagree and there are ways to turn your passion into your profession.
Hm. I don't know about some of these. Many successful artists I like have TH-cam channels and cold called galleries. Of course I can't know how many people have harmed their careers with this instead.
Great point! And yes, it is possible to have some success with these strategies, but you will reach your career plateau a lot sooner because the more high-end art galleries will drop out. But it of course, depends on your approach. You can be active on TH-cam but do it in a classy manner versus vlog-style and clickbait thumbnails or cold calling via emails doing in a very personal, indirect, and professional manner.
This video makes gallery owners seem rather elitist, & makes it seem like they judge art not by the quality of the art, but by how the artist fits their classist expectations
It can be done for sure without having to worry about your career as a high end artist, as long as you do it in a "gallant" manner and clearly seperate it from your 'oeuvre'. Thank you for tuning in!
He’s right. These are the key point I’ve taken so far
Art world “needs” for success
- professionalism: in social situations and in the look presented in webpage/media
- accessibility: being known in the network and easily found on the internet/social media
- network: being present in the community and actively engaging with others in the community
- passion: overall indulging in the scene of and outright doing it for the amor of art
Great summary in bulletpoints! One could print it out and hang it in the studio. Thank you for tuning in!
I am confused. All my fellow artist struggle with Instagram now. We are not visible at all. Only 1% of our followers have a chance to see our content, which is discouraging and devastating. If they paid for ads after they stop paying- their visibility got even worse. We are getting "shadowbans" for repeating the same hashtags, although, what other hashtags can we use when we provide art content?! (it's not spam). We are getting censored and forced to create silly reels where the main focus is not what we create but actually how we present it. The sillier, the better...and best in seven seconds.
Where are honesty and hard work go? I am saying this on behalf of artists I know. We all got truly hurt now with this platform. We were building community and portfolio for many years, only to be punished by algorithms and unfair games...I know it sounds negative, but that's the bitter truth, and are getting to feel hopeless...
any advice?
Thank you,
with love
Agata
I am an artist, and I have been considered paying for promotion on instagram because it getting really hard to people see my work. But you now say that paiing for ads its not a good choice cause it will decrease the visibility after, rigth?
We all kinda desesperate for regonition, the gallerys are satured, the contests too, the instagram the same...
@@hellojuuh846 HI, yes, it's very challenging this time. I haven't tried paid ads myself, but several of my friends- all had the same experience...but if you feel like trying you should...who knows, maybe it was a coincidence? best wishes, A.
Tiktok has far better organic reach and yes boost your posts- should be part of your monthly marketing budget
@@TrinaMerry Yes, but as an fine artist, and not a artist/influencer, in my opinion tik tok and short time videos, or shot time anything, is not a good investment plus the audience is young and not the niche I'm personaly looking for.
@@hellojuuh846 I make a living as an artist through promotional videos on TikTok. No costs. Instagram and Facebook are Zuckerberg's best scams. Give him nothing. .
I think that this video is really accurate on how this art machine works. In the end, if you want to be considered a serious "artist" you can't walk straight with your chin up just like a regular human being, you have to crawl like a worm to please all the many actors that revolve around the art world. at least, if you want to be accepted. I love art, I have done it for many years but I am afraid I am not cut out to live or behave like a worm. Maybe I should just accept it and paint only for me....and my cats. Good luck to everybody and thanks to CAI for speaking the truth.
Hi Laura, thank you for tuning in. I believe it is possible to stay in line with the 'expected behavior' for artists to be considered as a serious artist without having to 'crawl like a worm'. The less you do the better in fact, so simply having a professional artist website and sharing your work on Instagram can be enough. Up next, it's all about hard work in the studio, providing quality art, and possibly applying to some artist opportunities to increase your exposure. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue thank you for your reply. I have been following you guys on youtube and your website. I really value your content and efforts and I hope one day, after the hard work is done, I will be able to find my way. Maybe then I'll be ready to reach you for some private query. Thank you for being so nice with people like me.
Laura I think this is valid of many of not most careers though. You work very hard to get noticed and then things take off… Think of the very basic example of a 9-5 blue collar worker going above and beyond to be noticed by a manager in order to get a promotion where they will no longer have to do certain things while earning much higher.
That said, I am a bit like you. The game of hoping to please someone doesn’t work for me; I would rather go above and beyond to get something while cutting the middle part of “pleasing someone who will give me a chance out”. But that path takes two to three times the amount of work, emotional strength, resilience and determination. But for me it is worth it. And if it is for you, just keep on being resilient and learning all you can from feedback.
Best of luck!
@@sunniermoon Thank you dear!!! The same to you!
@@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122 “People don’t buy original fine art pieces” is both general and wrong.
Here is my example. I am in my early thirties, never had an interest in art until very recently and I am fast becoming an avid collector of work by emerging artists. From prints to photography to sculpture I spend some time each day looking for artists at the beginning of their career to give my money to (buy from). Better yet, I am looking at how to manage my finance in such a way that I have more disposable income to buy art I like.
And in this journey of mine I have had the immense pleasure to discover that there are actually lots of people just like me who aren’t millionaires but who genuinely enjoy art and actively go out of their way to find new artists whose work they can afford and enjoy tremendously but whom can also benefit the most from the purchase (emerging ones).
So, I am not an artist. I don’t know the struggle of artists. So, I cannot relate to that and whether or not it is stupid to chase such a dream. But being on the collector’s side I can say that there are plenty of people out there buying fine arts.
I don’t know if you’ll read this… I want to say how this video shifted something in me today. In a very enlightening way. Not the particular details offered here. Although there is a good, subtle message that is here…I summarize it as a matter of Quality, Subtle Precision and a true Authenticity in a person’s artistic expression.
Today I had a flashback through my life and could appreciate where I mostly have lived as an artist. Saying at times that I am an artist. However not getting caught up on it.
I could see alllll the design work and other mundane work for a living… carried my mark as my true art self. Being an artist is a matter of living in one’s art self.
I can see my body of work that I made time for through my 55 years. Now… this info and perspectives have given a foundation for me to bring to the market and public. It’s interesting that some of the not recommended paths you mention didn’t work for me me anyways. I just couldn’t bend to what was marketable.
I also have wound up almost starving. Haha. Just not having found the right path and get any traction.
I appreciate being able to have a conversation here. And lol forward to moving forward with positive growth.
Thank you for the cost free information you provide. It can go to good use. I find the CAI website hard to navigate and find these articles there without clicking through from these videos.
I have a question about missing information on a resume. Like say… taking part in BBC a show many years ago and no longer having the gallery information. How that may be handled on the CV? Take care and you do a good job off essentially saying it is about being human and being accepted in creating and having some taste. That is what I understand.
I just came back from the Art Basel Miami weekend, and I’m glad this video is posted. Specially on point 5. I had several conversations with gallerists. In Basel self I didn’t expect nothing, but in other fairs like Aqua, Ink (print art fair) and Untitled, I had conversations and at certain point I was asked if I was an artist, this opened for deeper conversations and interests, and I also got some link to submit my artwork, and also possibilities of co-lab. That I find was a successful investment in traveling for art.
Exactly! This is text-book non-imposing/non-intrusive networking or self-promotion. It happens organically. Congratulations!
Thanks for your professional advice. Your ideas on success are very on point.
My advice get your art noticed by young audiences on social media, you never know who’s going to become a patron of yours. If you’re good at portraits there’s always a market for that.
Is this what you did? How much will people pay?
I get new information about art affairs from your video. So I'm so grateful for it.
Nº1) Be independently wealthy AND have connections ...or at least an expensive PR agent.
Nº2) DO NOT SELL ONLINE, DO NOT MARKET YOURSELF IN ANY WAY.
Nº3) Wait until you are asked by a curator or gallery to join an exhibit or roster by some miracle. DO NOT phone or contact them!
Nº4) If all else fails, marry Larry Gagosian.
Just wait
N° 1 to 3 is not in line with the content of the video, but you really got me at n° 4 😂 Thank you for tuning in!
You nailed it !! There is no other explanation as to why you see certain " artists " in art galleries at all. More importantly maybe, find a gullible fool who is prepared to part with a truck load of money ( probably of highly dubious origin to start with), have an agent or an auction house talk your work up to high heaven and Bingo - there goes the money-go-round ! The " artist " might then be well advised not to buy a truck load of drugs, even though they might be useful in artistic " inspiration ".
Hahahahaha
😂
I am an artist living on a remote island in the developing world, there is one local vanity art gallery.I have done art as a hobby for 20 years but only since COVID started putting my work out there digitally. My sales are not significant compared to my stock of artworks. The art market here is very small, also the region does not have a pedegree of visual artists. I have started putting my work in the digital forum which I have access to. My question is how do I get access to those places where my art can be shown since I am at a geographical disadvantage to 1.physically network 2.face issues of shipping 3. do not have the pedegree due to being a self trained artist. In my art work I feel comfortable with what I produce but some pieces more than others. Advice appreciated.
I am curious if he will reply to you, I appreciate your question. I glad you persevere in whatever ways you can to network. He does have a video or two on how location affects your career.
@@RachelRinerThanks. Its kinda like that scene in Ozark, with Ruth and the rapper talking about Tupac, so close yet so far.. It is just getting the right person, its a challenge for lower groupings to interact with wealth because art is a status signal,think pineapples -lol (culturally, morally etc) not necessarily an aesthetic or emotional medium. If an individuals group is perceived by the larger society as having nothing to say by the gatekeepers, well then you don't get in and wither on the vine. Albert_ Laszio Barabasi did some research if you are interested.
Once again, these ideas have followed my research since my undergrad pup years, and I concur with your advice for the modern-day artist practitioner. Certain other books on art practice follow this advice, which is to say that it is good, sound advice that has been around for a long while. Thank you for making this video.
This guy is so GREAT! Well thought out… compassionate…. Realistic… honest… caring and informative. Brother in creativity… thank you so much for your in depth contribution here. You’re a rare gem. You’ve helped me in ways immediate, and also yet to unfold. Thank you.
Hi Ethan, thank you so much for your most kind words. I really appreciate it! The pleasure is all mine. Wishing you all the best in art and in life in general. Stay in touch!
A helpful eye-oopener. Incredibly thorough. I cringed at some of the things I have been doing, and need to correct them soon.
Time to move forward from here! Wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much, this is such a relief to hear this counter-discourse to the supposed necessity of self-marketing... which feels so yuck !!
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
Regarding having a youtube channel: does this hold true even if you have someone else - or pretend to be someone else - making videos of your group/solo exhibitions or showcasing individual art works? I'm asking because I'm seeing many established artists who have videos on youtube showcasing their artworks, documenting their exhibitions, studio etc., even if it's not on "their" TH-cam channel.
Thanks for this great video and your advice! It is just confirming my opinion about the behaviour as an artist. Very helpful to me!!
The pleasure is all mine! Thank you for tuning in!
Thank you, this is well received.
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
For clarity: If someone like a gallery director or art collector ask if you are an artist, are they looking for a simple yes or no, or is there more subtlety involved? Also, is there more to "being an artist" than creating works?
This is good. Your channel is very informative and enjoyable.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and thank you for tuning in!
Great advise. Thanks so much for taking the time to share your knowledge.
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
Watching this makes me feel like all my efforts were wrong, I think I need a one on one.
Feel free to discover our 1-on-1 service here: www.contemporaryartissue.com/submit/ And thank you for tuning in!
I follow all your advice mentioned here and have been a finalist for a few awards including the National Contemporary Art Award a few years ago, however I've been 10 years in NZ now and still cannot get representation. I luckily had some in the UK before my move, 2 of which I kept up before they closed their doors to retire. I've been told the reason I can't find any here is because of a shortage of galleries, that owners are already finding it hard to do the artists they represent justice. People who visit my studio do not understand why I am not represented, so clearly there is something I'm missing. What would suggest ? Should I venture outside of NZ?
Yes, I would definitely consider venturing outside of NZ. The gallery scene in genuine art cities such as Paris, Berlin, London, New York, LA, or Seoul, is where the magic happens. There is a reason why there are so many galleries in those areas, so there is a lot more opportunity there for artists.
@@contemporaryartissue there is a lot of galleries here in LA but there are almost 2 million artists as well it’s very difficult I know many struggling artists
Thank you for taking the time to respond and for your response!
Thank you for that advice, I did follow it in the end and travelled twice to Sydney. The second trip I was offered a show for 2024. It's not representation yet but it is definitely a move in the right direction. After 11 years here with little response, it suddenly gave me more confidence, which led me to procure two more solos in NZ :) .
Thank you for this video.
I will follow your advices.
That's great, wishing you all the best!
That's very important to keep in mind as to generally behave for the good sake of your own professionalism and professional coherence. I'll keep in mind your suggestions 👏👍
That's great, wishing you all the best and thank you for tuning in!
@@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122 I'm still learning as a student and a human being and also not as a native English speaker. So get away with your comments if you're not coming to help, I'm not saying I'm a master so please shut up
Great advice...Thank you for sharing...
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
I appreciated this video so much! Question: Should artists have business cards? My husband had them but since you mentioned marketing being frowned upon, is that a form of marketing?
Outdated advice. We live in a different world now. The goal of a real artist is to make art full time and being financially successful enough to continue to do so. No “being discovered” (which is ego driven) and galleries’ help needed at all in modern times especially in USA and Asia. USA accounts for the biggest portion of global sales, and a lot of successful artists I know do have a shop on their website. Some of them became so commercially successful they have their own gallery now and their work is in museums as well. So you know, there are new ways to go about it nowadays. Being commercially successful is not ‘frowned upon’ in America. Maybe in the old fashioned Europe clinging desperately to the old ways. Most art sales happen in USA and Asia anyway. Just check out the statistics.
Well said 🎉
There is commercial success, simply selling your work... and there is critical success. Please don't confuse the two. He is addressing critical success.
@@diannelawrence8921 critical success is ego driven and there’s a hidden agenda for the galleries to push artists towards it and not becoming independent because they are financially motivated. There’s no any kind of critical success in our modern world without commercial one, unfortunately. No gallery will show your work (for free) unless they are sure it will sell. This is the world we live in. Galleries are in business to make money, after all.
@@olga.klimova sorry, but some paintings/artwork are better than others. All galleries want to make money and some of them show work that has greater critical value than others. Owning your own gallery to sell your own art means you are a good salesperson with a product people want. Doesn't mean you are a great painter.
@@diannelawrence8921 can you explain great critical value? Does Jeff Koons have great critical value? Kaws?
Binging all you videos. I’m currently shifting from being a commercial fashion designer to a textile artist. Any advice on how to utilize my website until I have high quality work? Should I remove my previous work? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I believe you should indeed filter your work as much as possible. Kill your darlings! But there is no harm to have a sub-page/category with 'older works', but once again only your very best ones. Wishing you all the best!
Thank you so much!
Couture fashion is not fast fashion but that’s what happens when you assume without context
Thanks for the valuable information!
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you SO much for this--it's the first time I've seen all the unwritten rules actually "written"! I am curious about one thing: visual artists sometimes use pseudonyms and also established artists even sometimes have an alter-ego who creates different work than what they are known for. How is this seen in the "art world"? I put out some early career "decor" work I'm not proud of including some really lowbrow work, and had a certain amount of success with it before finding my voice, but was later away from art for almost a decade due to chronic illness. I do have an exhibition history including one good public institutional showing listed on artfacts from after I started making true "art"--but it was still for a completely different type work than what I am making now. Ten years later, I don't know if it's better to try and use my own name and history or start fresh. Many thanks for these videos and any additional insight you choose to offer! 🙏
@cowboycacti Haha no worries, glad it inspired and thanks for sharing. I go back and forth on it. Luckily I have a few months to decide as I build up my body of new work before submitting to anything. The thought of starting fresh is daunting but you're right about the work--I would only be starting fresh from a business standpoint, as the art has been developing for twenty years. Still, an empty CV is kind of depressing after a full one that I worked so hard for! I have also wondered if there is a compelling story I can tell about this ten year gap as a period of metamorphosis in my own development and the development of my work, which is 100% true. Scrub the worst of the old work from the internet wherever I can (being that it's old there is less online because people weren't so obsessive about social media back in 2009 lol!) allow the old work that is acceptable to me (though very different from the current work) to remain out there and account for it as "pre-metamorphosis"... we shall see!
of course, there's also the fact that my given name doesn't feel like the most marketable name in the world, plus studies show women perform better under an alias (male or female) when writing math tests... okay, art isn't a math test, but, like math, it is an area whose historical cannon conditions us to believe men are better at it. As a big introvert I think it's even possible using an alias or alter-ego might free me to produce better art. As I said, I go back and forth!
I'm wondering if there's a way of combining the two so it's an "open secret" where name change makes sense in light of the metamorphosis and ten year gap, but I don't have to feel awkward or ashamed to reveal anything to collectors or gallerists if I'm asked directly about my history or that I have to leave behind the positive aspects of my history. I think this may be the best path for me if I can figure out how to have the best of both worlds. Maybe as simple as hyphenating my last name with my husband's since he has been such a huge support for me and my career anyway--though perhaps it's too close to my old name.
@@cowboycacti lol sorry now I'm the one who was inspired by your comments!
Hi Julien, thanks so much for this video, and all the others which I've found extremely useful and interesting. When you say don't have a webshop, do you mean you shouldn't allow for direct purchasing from your site? How would you sell? Also, do you advise against having the prices on your website? thanks. (I do not have a website yet, and so far have sold via Saatchi, to friends and at a charity exhibition. Zero sales via Instagram which I use the most)
Thanks for this advice and taking the time. However, can i ask why artists should take your advice? who are you and what makes you qualified to offer this? thanks :)
A very fair and important question-especially on a platform such as TH-cam known for its "Guru's." Feel free to check my credentials at "about your host" in the description or at our "mission" page when it comes to advice for artists here: www.contemporaryartissue.com/mission/
Where dose printing a calaneder appy?
What if an artist wants to write a letter of introduction to a gallery which is a too far to easily visit in person? Should he/she include their website or photos of their work? Or perhaps request an in person interview with the gallery director but not show the work? Your suggestions. Ed
I completely agree, this is a long-term job, it takes a long time to reach your goals. Thanks for your videos, great job...
Absolutely, spot on. The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
Hi love your Channel! You said to post only your best work on a website but what if you have series of older work that you want to show somewhere? Is it acceptable to have a archive page somewhere?
Dear Francisca, thank you for tuning in and for a very good question. As long as you are still proud of your older work, it is perfectly possible to have it on your website. You can organize your work chronologically so it will be clear that the series in question is from a while back.
@@contemporaryartissue thank you!!
It was really surprising to see a video with a painter walking down the street where I used to live a couple of years ago. It's Repin Street (Russian painter), near the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg. Thank you for your videos )
I am a Beginning Artist looking to become an Emerging Artist in a few years, but as of now I am still building up my skills. However, I do run a small art business where I create coloring books, stickers, and I sell limited edition prints of my original works. Furthermore, I created a logo for this art business, and I wanted to know if that "Logo" and my art dealings would harm my chances of being discovered as an Emerging Artist in the future? Thank you!
If you work as an illustrator or graphic designers, I would simply advise you to keep your "commercial" work separate from your artistic work-e.g. not sharing your commercial work on your instagram or artist website. Good luck!
Insightful advice. However, wondering whether these principles are universal, i.e., applicable around the world instead of European / western world views?
Hi Mike DL, great question. With the high end art world being very globalized, but focusing predominantly on North-America, Europe, and Asia, these principles are universal in those spheres.
Thanks for this helpful advice.
My pleasure Dianne, speak soon!
Can you recommend websites that host minimal artist portfolios? I don’t mean behance or shopify. Many of these artist sites don’t have any clue as to where they are being hosted.
Hi Dan, excellent question. ArtLogic offers some great websites for artists but the monthly subscription is rather expensive. We'll be doing a video on how to create a professional and minimal artist website yourself, providing a design template to work with. So stay tuned!
@@contemporaryartissue Thanks!
Great advice (and great hands!) Thanks
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
how do I make connections with galleries and curators internationally as an experienced artist with a good body of work but has just started showcasing now? is there a right way to do it?
Hi there, thank you for tuning in. There are numerous strategies to network with collectors and curators-too many to discuss in a comment section; think of Instagram networking strategies, in-field strategies, art opportunities, collaborating with artists, participating in events/lectures, et cetera. Feel free to stay tuned for more career advice for artists! :-)
As a member of the ASD community, this smacks of artistic masking. "Don't do what's natural for you, or what makes sense to you - do what non-artists who own these galleries want you to do instead." That breaks the first tenet of art, "There are no rules." I say, forget the galleries. You won't make as much $ with them anyway. Just put up your own site, do your own social media advertising, and set your own prices. If galleries want good artists, they'll honor that first tenet rather than ignoring it.
Hi there, thank you for tuning in. I never stated you shouldn't do what is natural for you. There are numerous career paths to discover and you must follow the path you feel fits best to you. I believe this article might help: www.contemporaryartissue.com/artist-career-paths/ There are no rules in art, but if you want to get somewhere in the art world, there are some rules outside of your studio walls if you want to become successful. Marketing your own art works fine as well, but you'll reach a ceiling much sooner in comparison with the gallery circuit.
This is exactly the type of information I have been looking for. Thanks for this video. Be well.
That's great to hear! Thank you for tuning in!
Thank you !
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!
Very interesting. A couple of questions that came to mind … So I guess (as an artist) Patreon accounts or live streaming falls under the self-promotion category? That is, it’s a no-no? Also, Instagram is okay but lately is promoting Reels over static posts. In what way should artists use Reels, if at all?
Hi there, thank you for tuning in and for the excellent questions. The case for Patreon is 50/50 in my opinion. But promoting your Patreon other platforms can indeed be too much of self-promotion, so the question is if its worth it (depending on the income). Instragram has indeed been acting incredibly annoying for artists who take their work seriously. Creating reels often results in progress videos but I believe this is not the right way to go. Static posts are much more professional and if you create reels, try to remain as professional and high-end possible without things getting too TikTok-ish if you know what I mean. Wishing you all the best!
which country os the best.
please kindy advice.
Thanks
Akram
The art world is globalized so you can become successful from anywhere in the world. However, living in a major art city such as Paris, London, Berlin, or New York, is the ideal situation of course.
Thanks a lot for this great content. Is it acceptable to put a newsletter option on my homepage? So the art lovers can participate from time to time in my new evolving. Thank you for answering this question.
Greetings from Germany
Jantien
I believe the ideal location to subscribe to a newsletter is on the contact page or even a separate page. It depends from the webdesign of course. Feel free to have a look at our tutorial on how to set up an industry-approved website next. Have a great day!
Thank you for such a detailed advice! If is not too much trouble, can you please name a few acceptable ways for artists to earn living before they get discovered.
@contemporaryartissue ?
All very well, but we have to eat. As a professional artist in my early twenties, I had to work two other jobs just to survive (I was a jailer in a youth prison (I was called a 'relief residential social worker)) and I also worked in a night-time centre that monitored burglar alarms. I got sick. I had to put art aside as a profession and get a day-job. Now forty years later I am trying to become a full-timer again. Now there are now opportunities for sales , so absolutely I will take advantage of online sales venues. As far as the rest of the advice goes, I agree with all of it. I am not commercial, nor am I too 'available' or needy, but at the same time I need some sort of exposure. Despite my day job, I have always been committed to art and managed to exhibit every few years in four countries (to date).
Hi Laurence, thank you for tuning in and for sharing your story. Yes, we have to eat. That's why we always advise having a good work-life-art balance first. Trying to go full-time with your art too soon will only result in financial stress and some bad decisions career-wise. Wishing you all the best!
This is interesting. Thank you
My pleasure! Thank you for tuning in
Wow...I have been doing this wrong for almost 30 years. I hope our upcoming 1 on 1 consultation will make 2024 better and more professional.
Absolutely! Looking forward to it!
As a shy and withdrawn person which an artist would tend to be, how do you suppose they should behave? Personality seems to trump talent, do you believe that your video has provided information that would help the introvert develop in the art world? Or would you be willing to make such a video?
How would you advice a visual designer (focused in illustration and animation) to work as a designer at the same time as gearing towards a career in the fine arts. I’m interested in video art and multidisciplinary art and it’s very difficult to get sound advice on how to maintain these two seemingly opposite trajectories
Thanks for your advice - in an opposite way you meant it, i think. After watching a lot of your videos, I am sure that I don't want to become this kind of artist you describe. I mean - I am an artist. But I will post articles to help people on my website if I want so - no matter what "professional gallery owners" think about it. I will also present my work in little regional exhibitions if I want. I will explain my work to neighbours if they ask and so on.
In conclusion: I will never give up to be a true artist only to get a "professional artist" - the way you mean it - waiting and begging for gallery-owners or collectors. You talk about puppets for the art-market. I dont't want to be a puppet ...
You don't get his point. He says Don't Beg. If your work is good enough, original enough, stands on the shoulders of what came before, and you are willing to get out and mingle and connect, you will find your way. I know it's convenient for you to call yourself a "true" artist...but are you a Good or even Excellent or even Brilliant artist? Aye and there's the rub.
@@diannelawrence8921 "Good" or even "Excellent" or even "Brilliant" artist!? This is not my decision. I want to be the best artist I can be. But: I am more than just my work. My work is nothing without me - and vice versa.. So I try to live the best life that I could - this means I help people if they want. This may be a regional exposition, an article on my website or advice for my neighbours.
When I look at the mechanisms of the art market - and what gallery owners demand - I don't want to be such a puppet.
@@MartinMissfeldt I gave up the naive idea long ago that being a "good" person had anything to do with being a good artist. Some of the greatest artists in history have been absolute scoundrels. Good person and good artist have little to do with each other. Advice about Success in the serious art market are what these videos are for. No shame in not wanting to participate.
@@MartinMissfeldt I discovered long ago that being a "good" person had nothing to do with being a good artist. It sounds like the critical art market is not for you. It's impossible for it to be for everybody. As explained in this video, the number of artists far outweigh the number of galleries.
@@diannelawrence8921 We do not live one hundred years ago, but today. "Greatest artist in history" is another story ... From my point of view being an "good person" will become neccessary to be a "good artist". We will see ... Btw: the actual art market is a lot, but not "serious" - so yes: since the end of my art study at University of Arts Berlin I am proud of not participate in an unserious art market.
Mail ArT is discouraged 😞 ✨️? Why is it discouraged? I was considering... as i am a member of a mail art 🎨 group...
i mean... imagine the (isolated) exposure and fun exchange of ArT
I wish that your audio was better! 22 minutes was a bit much with such low quality audio!
check your system. I heard him fine on my macbook air
Dear Col. Richard Hunter, thank you for your feedback. Normally the audio should be fine. I use a pretty good microphone to records these-or maybe my Dutch accent is making it hard to listen? Nevertheless, thank you for tuning in!
Thank you so much for your content and channel - it is well-informed.
If I may ask, what are your thoughts on selling small studies and experimentations for major works to interested buyers - especially those that don’t have a great understanding of fine art and/or a lot of money, but just like the way it looks?
Dear Valerie, thank you for tuning in and for following the channel. If you sell studies to collectors, that's perfectly fine but you should always do it in a discrete manner. The pricing will be a bit lower, which could be annoying for your previous collectors who paid the full price for a major work. When it comes to experimentations, here I would advise you to be careful with selling those. Once you have sold them, you no longer have control of them. In a way, they become part of your 'oeuvre' and the distinction between experimental work and your main work dissolves as soon as you sell the experiment. I hope this might be of help!
@@contemporaryartissue thank you, yes it does help and fits with my understanding of of the art world, which I am re-entering after 25 years and trying to understand how best to use social media as a tool for exposure in the right way. Again, thank you 😊
very correct
Thanks
Thank you, the pleasure is all mine!
1. What does "simulate your art in interiors" mean?
2. Why is blogging bad for the artist?
Thank you!
Hi Charles, thank you for tuning in and two great questions. Simulating art in interior is when you present your art as decoration in an interior. Think of photoshopping your painting above a couch, or in a dining room. This rather unprofessional and frowned upon. Blogging is also rather frowned upon because it feels "hobbyish". You will notice how established artists always remain somewhat elusive, whereas blogging is the opposite of this.
@@contemporaryartissue Thank you Cai for the insight! I have two more questions though.
1. What do you think when an artist creates a gallery out of their interior walls in their home?
2. What do you think when artists display their works in a coffee shop or hotel lobby (for free I'm assuming)?
@@charlesz8531 Two excellent and specific questions. Using your own home to display your art is fine. Make sure to make your home look as much as possible like an art gallery, moving away your furniture and decoration. It's an ideal moment to take great photographs. Regarding your second question, I believe this is fine as long as you aren't exhibiting with galleries. As soon as you have some exhibition opportunities, I would avoid the coffee shops, waiting rooms, and hotel lobbies.
@@contemporaryartissue Great tips. Thanks, Cai!
"Serious collectors and serious gallery directors will never scout for artists on those online art marketplaces" - Saying very broad words like never isn't very good advice. I'm a curator, maybe not what you'd define as a "serious" one yet, but I definitely search everywhere for anything; That's how you discover art
He seems to contradict himself by saying that gallery directors never scout for artists on online marketplaces but then says if they see you there that'll put them off you.
Dear Apollo Art Exchange, of course there are still some curators and collectors browsing on Saatchi and Singulart. But it is safe to say the likes of Hans Ulrich Obrist or Thelma Golden do not discover new artists to work with on those platforms. Thank you for tuning in!
@@tessaspanton6891 Dear Tessa, actually I don't. Let's say a gallery director came across your work on Instagram and he or she is interested in you. The next step will be a simple Google of your name and in the search results they will see that you are active on those online marketplaces.
@@contemporaryartissue Thanks for the reply!
Just like the Realists and Impressionists we're facing yet another moment where artists aren't forced to choose between "the Academy" or failure and starvation.
Those aspiring to be curated by those types may inevitably be forced to cater to those preferred areas of discovery, although at what cost?
I'd definitely agree they likely don't browse those platforms, but my point is there are many of these places online. They're going to be missing out on a lot of good art while many small creators will continue to find success by distributing directly to consumers while riding various waves of virality.
Before the art public starts jumping and stomping that the art world is unfair, kindly put yourselves in the shoes of a gallery and ask how you'd give a show to all the 5000 people who approach you with their portfolios every month. This simple excercise will give some clarity.
Spot on. Thank you for tuning in!
It isn't the process of getting a show in an important gallery that is unfair. No one expects a gallery owner to hand over shows, we are all willing to earn it, if that is the direction we want to go. What is unfair is that it is still male dominated, that unless you are very well connected or wealthy you are at the back of the line. Intellectual property is not protected now that we have an online global market. We are in a catch 22, a lot of artists believe the "gallery" is dead, they want to be able to sell their own art, establish a following, keep their money mostly because they need to survive. Artists need to work on art full time in order to evolve, create a body of work, if you are temping all day or waiting tables all night, art is back burner. Not many artists have the luxury of waiting around, and attending expensive events in hopes that they will be discovered by not talking about their own art. I understand keeping it pure but I think a younger artist isn't going to have the patience, and the hope that this model is still viable.
Thank you very much for this video. It was a lot of useful information. I have a question: nowadays one becomes an artist not only after art school, many successful contemporary artists come from related fields, such as fashion or graphic design. For example I worked in fashion for over 10 years, but now I only see painting, photography and sculpture as medium for expressing my creativity. How do I put together a resume for people like me without having participated in various group exhibitions, but with serious intentions? thank you in advance.
Why do you want a resume? (So you can give it to a potential group to judge you? and have 1 chance in 10,000 to picked up in a mediocre event, gathering, show?) Just document your art life, make that a big part of your art discipline: documenting everything with video and posting it on social media: Instagram, facebook, twitter, tiktok. And slowly but surely you will get attention.
Римма, у меня сложилось впечатление, что данный господин хочет убедить художника в том, что без пиарщиков
ему не прожить.
@@sc936 да. было бы здорово, если бы автор блога еще давал обратную связь
Hi there, great question. First and foremost, it is indeed crucial to have an artist resume so the gallery or collector can make on informed decision on where you stand as an artist. Even if you don't have a lot to write on your resume, you must have one. You can compile all the factual information so far-think of your year of birth, nationality, where you work and reside, your education, professional experience (e.g. in fashion), and so on. Next, it is up to you to actively improve your resume. Try to host a first exhibition by renting a space (this is better than working with pay-to-play galleries), search for art opportunities on Artenda (contests, awards, open calls for exhibitions), etc. Thank you for tuning in!
I would advise all of you to read the chapter "If you build it, will they come?" from Peter Thiel's book Zero to One
Very interesting book indeed!
Hello. Most of my audience that go to my art, music profiles haven't been through advertising. I don't even mention my art, or music to anyone. I always show up on social networks to read, and post answers like this one. People read profiles.
Absolutely!! Organic and indirect networking. Works like charm. Thank you for tuning in and sharing this.
It seems to me that this advice applies to the mainstream gallery scene, but not to the many new platforms and scenes for artists. I understand that the perceived authority of the mainstream galleries is what attracts big investors, but do you personally believe that that is where the good art lives these days?
Hi Dejan; thank you for tuning in. Yes, I do believe there is great art in today's art galleries. There are different avenues to discover, of course, and everyone should be active in the scene or environment they feel most comfortable. In my case, this is the more traditional gallery circuit and art world. Thank you for your comment and have a great day
@Contemporary Art Issue I am just curious how a petson can align their taste to the market? Surely art should be a visceral, intrinsic, natural experience....if it is to be called art at all.
@Mike Noneofyourbusiness hobby is a terrible word that reeks of a society drinking the kool-aid. There is no such thing as an "artist" or an 'art scene' or a cannon of work. Art is only the actual experience of the person making art, and the interaction of the art with another petson. Everything else is marketing, hype, and salesmanship.....in the name of entirely other pursuits and professions. Salesman, critics, professors, speculators.....
Super advise. Seems it will help to be rich!
Being rich always helps! Thank you for tuning in!
working a full-time job gives us at least 8 hours a day to focus on our art.
I would like reasons for when you say something is accepted or frowned upon by the art world. Why is instagram ok and youtube accepted?
It all comes down to the unwritten rules of the high end art world. Throughout the years, these rules emerged as a set of expectations how one can identify the 'serious' artists and galleries. It is derived from the overall tone and behavior of these leading entities resulting in some do's and don't's for artists if they want to make a career in this sphere of the art world. Peer-to-peer learning
We’re all gonna be the next big thing
What would be too many prints?
I believe anything over 20 can be too much, especially for emerging artists. With established artists, different metrics are in play of course. Ideally, as a collector and as a gallerist, I prefer editions between 6 and 12.
I am a second year art student, and for funs i did a workshop of silkscreen printing. I had so many prints i thought it would be funny to sell them for a banana a piece, about 36 cents. It was mostly a joke, but a lot of people took it seriously and bought a print. It reflected the tad humorous side of me well, but now i question if i will be taken seriously if people discovered the fact i sold my pieces for some fruit.
You can use it in your advantage as well, going up with prices slightly but surely, you can also say it was during a learning process. And by the time you graduate your art would have more value.
that sounds like a performance art piece!
I think that’s great. Don’t overthink. You’ve clearly got this!
@@tklang-d6s Thank you! Coincidentally, i'll have a second expo next week, making me nervous for it, seeing this encouragement helps me calm for this preparation! I thank you!
@@researchpubs I have been thinking about broadening my visions to other mediums than just Painting, and performances are quiete high on the list, it's very nice to hear you see it like that!
Helpful talk real
Happy to help!
Gold
You're too kind! Thank you for tuning in!
The moment you say 'gallery' i shut down, and you mention them alot. It's such an antiquated system, they're controlling and very expensive. Working with them has the opposite effect of what you should be doing as an artist (freedom to create). If you're an artist, you don't really need them today. That's not to say you shouldn't use them, but get a good deal (negotiate) and stay in control of what you want to do as an artist. This is just my experience and thoughts.
depends on the art honestly. "fine art", sure but there are so many artists whom are doing great.
Absolutely, it always depend on the art and the objective of the artist.
Great video but this is the reason the art world is so fickle don't promote yourself but promote yourself in a world where everybody is promoting it's a very tough line
I disagree with most of this advice. Artists must support themselves in order to create art. Why not work commercially to do that? Get paid very well in commercial art and become an epic painter while earning money. Skills will contribute to the studio practice! And painting commercially is better than a soul-sucking office job. I agree that you must "behave" as an artist and build relationships in the art world but why not do both? No one else will pay the bills. The greatest artists never followed the rules, so do whatever it takes to make art and back yourself. Who cares!
Hi Sheila, thank you for tuning in and for commenting. The greatest artists never followed the rules when it comes to creating art, but when it comes to the art world and the expected professional behavior for artists, we're talking about something else entirely. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue What like Rembrandt you mean who was spurned by the establishment for rejecting their narrow conservative opinions about art and culture, dying in poverty ? Or maybe Van Gogh - no introduction needed ? How about Richard Dadd who spent the best part of his adult life in Bedlam asylum ? Or perhaps Caravaggio who went on the run after killing his father ? Truth is, the great artists of the past didn't have the critical status in their lifetimes which the modern establishment has retrospectively bestowed upon them and in the age of Leonardo were regarded as little more than interior decorators. A great artist, a free spirit, would never lower themselves and their vision by whoring for the approval of authority. Can you imagine Van Gogh on Thick tok ?
from 5 to 10 years? Well, it also depends on where you live, 5 to 10 years if you are born in the first world, 15 to 30 years if you live in the third world. I had to spend more than 18 years painting before being discovered by my current manager who pays me a salary to paint my series and make commissions.
The art world is very globalized today so it is the best time ever for anyone anywhere to make it in the art world. Of course, being in close proximity of major art cities or top education always helps. Wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue Um, I don't know. I don't see many African artists or latin American artists succeeding worldwide like artists who live in the US and first world countries for example; it's a matter of statistics, simply the vast majority of successful artists are found in those countries. The artists who succeed in third world countries tend to be a very low percentage, and as such globalization has not changed that.
For example, I can tell you, I am a painter, musician, composer, singer, I design cities, I make murals and I play various musical instruments, I am from Venezuela, and here I have performed live multiple times, I have had both individual and collective painting exhibitions, I have done murals, and it was only after 20 or more years of artistic career, and that I managed to leave Venezuela, that I was able to get a patron "manager" here in CDMX (which is the city in Latin America closest to the first world) and it is someone who lives in the USA, and only comes to CDMX from time to time, and he himself tells me that in CDMX there is no artistic life like the one there is in the USA, and imagine that, he is talking about CDMX, which for I, who come from Venezuela, is a city bathed in art and events, fairs, etc. What I want to tell you is that Latin America and most countries in the southern hemisphere have no chance, there are a lot of super talented artists who are losing, they end up giving up and leaving the race due to exhaustion, you have no idea How many hyper mega talented artists, with a huge portfolio, who end up giving up. I was lucky, but it was due to having been persistent and having gone through economic hardships, I'm not saying that an artist from the United States doesn't have an ugly time, of course if there are, I'm not referring to that, what I'm referring to is that the chances of being recognized in Latin America and these countries and extremely low
@@laurinioperdomo7683 Of course, all the galleries, collectors, and institutions supporting artists are in the first world, so, of course, it is easier to succeed. However, what I meant is that today there are more opportunities for third-world countries than 20 years ago. Social media and art opportunities specifically for international artists are great ways to achieve success while residing and working outside the main hotspots of the art world.
@@contemporaryartissue Of course, there's no doubt about it. Well, thanks to social networks, I actually have a patron now, providing me with a salary to literally paint. Very few people in first-world countries, let alone third-world countries, have that kind of opportunity, so I feel very fortunate.
Behance is a good free app to post images of your art . Not a ton of traffic but it does show up on artists name google searches. The picture quality and view is also good on Behance. Not as good as Insta but a good free way to showcase your art .
Insta is a crock of scamming schitt, same as Facebook.
Behance is indeed a nice alternative, but I feel like the galleries and collectors are still sticking to Instagram with mostly artists also trying out Behance. As a result, it is great place to see work by other artists, but not a great place to get discovered-so far. Thank you for tuning in, wishing you all the best!
@@contemporaryartissue Are Instagram paying you? It's laughable, a global scam, just like Facebook. Artists don't do well on these places. You are completely out of touch..
@@heraldeventsandfilms5970 Not at all. Instagram is a free platform-so I am unsure how it qualifies as a scam. I have generated a lot of sales and discovered some great new artists on Instagram. Even though I don't like Instagram's recent changes, my experience remains positive in general
@@contemporaryartissue It is a means of gathering information and selling it to criminals. The scammers who piggy-back it are not censured either. Along with Facebook, It is the biggest scam, ever.
the sucsess of artist is in creating the art he wont to create' to achieve the level of expression and the power of his images. The promotional success have nothing to do with it... It mostly result of public relations and promotion activity....
Frowned upon, frowned upon, frowned upon… no one frowns on anything 😂
There is a lot of frowning going on in the art world for sure! 😂
I was in FB art groups, and someone contact me to get me in artbasel but they wanted 1000 dlls so careful with scams
Never pay for showing your art. Get paid for showing your art.
Yeps, those more into the money. Like an Instagram page you want you to pay them to show your art. Hint just pay for an add to promote your account.
Yes, be aware of vanity art galleries/contests/curators. They are interested in the size of your wallet, not art. Thank you for tuning in!
@@dnlgrmn7169 Hi there, I am not really sure on this one. From my experience, promoting yourself as an artist with paid ads on Instagram is rather frowned upon. Even more, I believe when approaching the right art pages for your type of art, a paid post on a large Instagram page can give you more "bang for your buck".
Ironically, some of the GREATEST artists in the history of time would NOT take the path of establishing a social media presence, etc, if they were an aspiring artist today. Some people create art for the sake of creating art. That said, faaar too many artists are indeed ignorant to the business side of things.
You mean artists just secretly do their work in a jungle hoping someone hears a falling tree? Artists, - the successful ones - have been cutthroat, ambitious and great at marketing themselves. If the successful ones don't have much of a social media presence now, its because they don't need it now. The rest have to keep doing the drill.
@@rohitmadashri7250 Leonardo Da Vinci secretly did his work. He wasn't Mr. LOOK AT MEEE.
@@figuredrawing4912 Exceptions always exist. For every Mr Da Vinci, there are hundreds of counterexamples. Take Picasso for example. For Jeff Koons. Julian Schnabel. Tracey Emin. Damian Hirst. Andy Warhol. Rauchenberg. The list is endless.
@@harikatragadda My point is that marketing can be ALL IMPORTANT these days. It's the opposite of what countless artists want.
I believe today this all has to do with the personality of the artist. Some artists are more introvert and focus on creating art and build their career in a more indirect manner-depending on their representation-whereas others are great at networking and simply enjoy working on their career.
1. Have something important to say
2.have something important to say
3have something important to ...
Chris Burden -aid for a TV commercial for himself as a “performance art work”
Has anyone heard of a TV commercial of an artist?
😂😂😂😂😂
Chris Burden to name one of them 😀
Of course not! I used this as an extreme example to illustrate how maximum exposure is not always the right exposure. Thank you for tuning in!
I disagree with so many things in this video. I’m making a (very good) living from my art as a fulltime artist and this “advise” is SO discouraging for artists.
I agree, this advice is totally delusional
Hi there, thank you for tuning in. It can be discouraging indeed, but it is the truth if you want to make it in the high end contemporary art world. Of course, there are other ways of making a living as an artist, but you will reach your plateau sooner than when trying to find your way in the gallery circuit.
this video makes some sense, put clear that art is - as any other luxury product - working over scarcity and simbolic capital / value... more capitalistic avant gard than this, impossible. Art, the ultimate product of the future, value built from nothing but ideas, concepts and schems of validation (peer 2 peer). but, who really profits with them?
Oh please, german translation? THANK YOU
Hi Heide, I believe TH-cam provides excellent auto translations. Thank you for tuning in!
The algorithm brought up this video for me, however, I couldn't go over the first 10 min without fast-forwarding. I'm an “educated” artist and I believe education is fundamental for culture 😅, obviously. As for “critical art” I don't believe these words can describe real art. Most of those critical artists are nothing more than realtors. Art is poetry, science, and philosophy altogether.,art market, galleries, and biennials translate the essence of art and the meaning of the “critical”. The problem fundamentally is that human beings are fragmented/fragments of consciousness thus they do not know how to be, as they are in appearance only. I'm not sure how relevant still is the conversation around critical discourse.
IF you have the followers. That was the magic word.
You do not necessarily need to have a lot of followers to make it in the art world. There are various other ways. For instance, artists winning renowned art contests are almost never famous on social media. So no need to despair :-) Thank you for tuning in!
So how are emerging artists supposed to sell their art if they can’t post their work as for sale on their site? They’re just supposed to be poor and cross their fingers?
I highly HIGHLY disagree with your "no TH-cam channel, no TikTok, Instagram does work" statement. Artists are doing the exact opposoite of what you're saying
It all depends what type of artist you want to be, and of course how you profile yourself on these platforms. If you create professional studio interviews, and pursue your artistic purposes in the first place, then you are all right. If you go for a more 'vlog' style type of videos, pursuing views and likes, then the professional art galleries will probably opt out on working with you.
Hearing of how it works I assume the art world is a very sad place.
From what I read it's a matter of manipulating the algorithm. As it is is as it's always been. It's not what you know but who you know and money talks. The more $ you have the more serious people see you
I wouldn't describe networking and being an active participant in the art world as manipulating an algorithm. Of course, money helps if you have a large studio and are able to visit all the art events. But with little money, you can also be taken very serious in the art world.
@@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122 We have a small gallery program, and we sell approximately 40-50 pieces of original fine art per year. Further, personally, I am also a young contemporary artist, and I sell approximately 20-30 pieces per year via my galleries. So from my experience, I disagree and there are ways to turn your passion into your profession.
Hm. I don't know about some of these. Many successful artists I like have TH-cam channels and cold called galleries. Of course I can't know how many people have harmed their careers with this instead.
Great point! And yes, it is possible to have some success with these strategies, but you will reach your career plateau a lot sooner because the more high-end art galleries will drop out. But it of course, depends on your approach. You can be active on TH-cam but do it in a classy manner versus vlog-style and clickbait thumbnails or cold calling via emails doing in a very personal, indirect, and professional manner.
This video makes gallery owners seem rather elitist, & makes it seem like they judge art not by the quality of the art, but by how the artist fits their classist expectations
I was wondering how galleries would feel about an artist writing/illustrating my childern’s books
It can be done for sure without having to worry about your career as a high end artist, as long as you do it in a "gallant" manner and clearly seperate it from your 'oeuvre'. Thank you for tuning in!