Elitism, BOGO, and Other Problems That Ail The Art World + 3 Works from Untitled Houston That Stuck With Me
On Tuesday evening, I unwrapped a new painting that we recently purchased from Shaheen Gallery’s exhibition of new work by Antwoine Washington. Maybe they have been groomed or maybe their excitement is genuine, but my sons love it when new art arrives. They have opinions on where it should go and why; and, it is the most fun to hear all about what they are thinking. After we settled on the fact that the painting really aligns most closely with my younger son and that it should hang in his room, we took it in there to figure out which wall. There is a lot of bright art in his room and this particular painting is also bright. I held it up and my older son declared, “That does not excite my eyes.” He is 7 and he was exactly right. When I asked him why it does not excite his eyes, giddy with glee that he had articulated his opinion so clearly and concisely. He observed that the colors in the new painting are too similar to the other work on the wall and so it all just gets lost.
Let me tell you a little story. A month or so ago, I attended a brunch where I met a local quasi-celebrity. Inevitably, our conversation turned to art. He shared with me that he had his eye on a particular painter but had been unable to purchase one of his pieces. This particular artist works in a slow, deliberate manner and does not produce many works. My new friend had been on a waitlist with the artist but then that waitlist got abolished when the artist had a show at a big gallery in NYC. When my friend approached that gallery about acquiring a work, he was told that they are only selling to real collectors.
Yeah…
So I told him, well let me see what I can do. Knowing I could not cold call this gallery, I reached out to a few friends who might have a connection so I could name drop when I sent my email. I was told they had absolutely no inventory but to reach out to another gallery who would be having an exhibition with the artist soon. When I reached out to that gallery, they wanted to schedule a call to discuss the collector and his collection.
I mean, c’mon…
So we had the call. I positioned my client in the best light that I could knowing this gallery wanted a pedigree, but what he had going for him is that he is a brand new collector with connections to high profile arts institutions and is close family friends with the artist. The gallery was not sold. I was told that we probably would not be able to acquire a painting from this show because collectors would be buying a work for themselves and then gifting a second one to an institution. My client was offered a work in an alternative media.
Again, c’mon…
This brings up so many problems, not least of which is the whole concept of the BOGO (Buy one, gift one), which completely dilutes the quality of institutional collections and diminishes the trust we place in them.
But the problem I want to tackle today is that my client–a novice collector–is being turned away because his collection is not prestigious enough and the gallery does not know him. Nevermind that he has been after a painting by this artist for several years, wants to START collecting, and has the means to pay for it! Even when I–an art advisor and vice president of a respected museum board–vouch for him. Plus, he is being edged out by a practice that is suspect at best and deeply problematic at worst.
Can we all agree that this is silly? When a new collector is so passionate about a work that he reaches out to a gallery MONTHS in advance of an exhibition to secure an opportunity to acquire a work and is turned away, it leaves everyone feeling icky. The art world is not the luxury retail market. You can’t force people to buy lesser stuff to make them earn the right to the stuff they really want. We’re not selling Birkins here, folks. Art collecting is about passion, connection, resonance, and storytelling. It’s not a status symbol.
I think Jeff Magid recently summed up this issue really well in his ArtNews article, “If The Art Market Doesn’t Welcome More Participants, It Will Severely Contract.” He wrote:
After decades of exclusion, opacity, and elitism, the art world urgently needs a stream of new buyers, and the luxury retail model isn’t bringing in enough people who want to be part of the elite club to keep them open. I’ve long wished that living with art were possible for more people. Now I know the future of the art world depends on it.
But to be honest, I’m not that concerned with a contracting art market. I had cocktails with a gallerist, an artist, and fellow moCa board member earlier this week. We discussed this topic extensively and all agree that the slumping market narrative is irrelevant. Whether Sotheby’s and Christie’s hit their low estimate totals really bears no import on sales of emerging artists’ works. What is REALLY important is the way galleries do business. If the art world is supposedly the warm, welcoming world of newcomers, outsiders, diversity, and difference, then let’s be that. And if we want to continue in the outdated modes of elitism and exclusion, then let’s be honest about what we are doing.
But an access point, an entryway, an open door, a knowing hand to guide new collectors—this is THE REASON I’ve created ArtISawAndLiked.com. It is the first of it’s kind subscription-based art advisory service, specifically targeted at new collectors who want to start but don’t know how. MOST art newbies can’t hire an art advisor to hold their hand and facilitate their journey like a sherpa or don’t even know art advisors are a thing. I want to change that so that anyone who wants some help collecting art has access to it!
My hope is that subscribers will utilize the platform in a variety if ways. Maybe subscribers will shop, maybe they’ll just find inspiration and hone their taste and eye. Maybe interior designers will use it as a jumping off point to create gorgeous, unique spaces for their clients! No matter how you approach it, it will be a confidence builder, a space where you too can discover what you like, learn about the art world, and become empowered to start your collecting journey. It will be a constantly evolving showcase of art I have seen and liked. Some of it is available for sale through the gallery (I hold no inventory but can certainly help facilitate acquisitions) and some of it is not, but that’s not the point.
Target Launch Date for ArtISawandLiked.com is October 18 so watch your inboxes for an invitation to be founding members plus a coupon code for a free first year. I am so appreciative of each one of you. thank you for supporting me, listening to what I have to say, and spending time in my little corner of the internet.
And now, some art…
Noelia Towers at de boer
The work is dark, mysterious, cinematic, and downright beautiful. I am not typically drawn to figurative work for my own collection but I’d live with this pretty lady. Why is she wearing all black? Why is her face covered? Is she sad? Is she hiding? Plus the quality of the painting was delicious. Saw this one at Untitled Houston last week and it has stayed with me.
Randy Twaddle at Moody Gallery
This one had a sort of Charlie Brown’s Christmas Tree elegance to it. I’m not sure that’s a thing but there is a poignance to the barrenness and brokenness to which someone paid attention. If you zoom in, you can see little strings tied to the branches. Someone cares about this tree (I realize it is a fantastical tree) and I find that beautiful.
Sarah Williams at Moody Gallery
These little jewels were like siren songs of home. They eminated warmth and nostalgia and presented a stark contrast to the idea of home we see on Pinterest and social media. Nothing fancy, nothing particularly beautiful, and certainly not grand, these homes represent the feeling of being home.
Cheers to the weekend, mes amis!