How to sell modern art?

[Esk247]

My other company that has been sitting on the back burner is a modern art's company. It was created by my mum but unfortunately, illness has prevented her from carrying on. this is even more annoying because we were featured in the sunday times as an up and coming business a few years ago but where unable to capitalise on the free exposure and thousands of hits we got to the website in just 2 weeks.

Now i have my own business, cheap web design, networking, events management blah blah and that ticks over but i can't help thinking that if i could get this stuff down to london....i could make enough money to invest in some start-up businesses and help other people out which is my ultimate aim.

But..how would i go about selling this stuff? you can't sell it online because its not supposed to be 50% off stuff, its never being done again, one off, no prints will be made, canvas artwork using acrylic paints.

Would it be a case of going to london and to some of the galleries?

 

[WebGem]

I wouldn't recommend going to London unless you are willing to part with at least 50% of the total price.

You should also be prepared to stick up the money for marketing the exhibition and you will have to wait a good 12-18 months (2 years in some cases) before the exhibit. As Art is subjective some of the galleries may deem your artwork unsuitable for there buyers. Be prepared for knockbacks and grow a thick skin if you venture down this route.

If you have experince with selling art you will know it's not a short term profit it takes time and selling Art often requires a long term vision. I agree it's hard to sell online as Art should, especially orignal, always be viewed in person but I know one lady who makes £10,000 a month selling here art through ebay.

If you change your mind and decided to sell online, offer a 14 day return policey, if the artwork comes back in the condition it went offer a money back gurantee. It takes the risk out of the purchase which is what sales is all about. Make sure you display the art big and crisp as possible. Look into transport inusrance.

Hope this helps you.

Phil
WebGems

 

[Esk247]

yes perhaps an exhibition of the works would be best before trying to sell in galleries.

We had an offer from the Brick Lane Gallery but it was quite expensive considering we didn't know if the work would sell and they seemed to offer more 'pop art' style in some of their exhibitions.

 

[wevet]

Unless you have the ear of saatchi you are wasting your time. Depends on the sector . price range your are targetting.However, if you search online there are a number of art events such as a big one in Battersea Park and in Regents Park where you can take a stand for a 2/3 day event.

If your offering finds favour in front of these audiences then it maybe worth approaching galleries in London.

Other than restaruants, art galleries in London are amongst the most short lived of businesses.To take one yourself, is a fast track to ruin: unless you are the girl/boyrfiend of a millionaire or the offspring of one.

 

[Esk247]

We have had some good reviews about the work...some pieces were sold at the HSBC building in middlesbrough during an exhibition and went to a wealthy shop owner who loved them.

Its a case of starting again with this one..we had started building momentum then lost it...now its starting from scratch in a market that has moved on since 2003 in to digital media and unusual art prizes where even a lightbulb can steal the show.

 

[wevet]

By the way - if it is anoriginal work you can always submit it to The Royal Academy in Piccadilly, London for their Spring Exhibition where you not only exhibit but also sell. (It must be said that it is a bit of a lottery getting in but worth it if you do).

 

[Esk247]

i think we are aiming for top end clients..ebay would be ok but this stuff really is a case of coming to our studio and selecting the piece you want from our collection, its wrapped for you, gift wrapped, presentation documents and signed artwork.

Its also quite niche as you cannot identify what it is...if you look at it you may see the outline of a seagull or if your from a town you may see smoke/clouds/industry in an image...ebay would make it look a bit cheap i feel, too mass market.

I wouldn't want someone from the street to buy this artwork, i want it to go in to a home where it is part of an art collection, just a case of trying to find those types of clients!

We also have the ability to supply works for entire office blocks as we have literally hundreds of pieces and don't mind fitting out an entire building with the works on monthly rental.

 

[fourblankwalls]

HI there, i have an art company selling art from canvas prints, to originals and prints of originals. I think that you can have a website and sell these. It depends how much they are and how many of them there are.

I would set up a simple blog and update the blog with my art as i painted it. Then have a twitter account and facebook to tell your fans when something is for sale.

People will find you if you use the right keywords. If you stuff is similar to Banksy then use that in your text. If you stuff is abstract then have "abstract paintings" mentioned frequently in your text.

I read earlier that you won't get any luck in London which is balderdash. If the art is good, they will sell it for you. You don't have to be a name or have gone to college etc. Galleries always look out for new faces in art. The old ones are getting very wrinkled these days and they as too much money.

Leave ebay alone unless you want to sell your art for £1.00 plus you are likely to see your art on a chinese website as a canvas print.

Just my sixpence.

 

[i234i]

My dad has a guy who comes round his house every so often from a gallery and he has one off pieces.. is this more the type of route your thinking?

Maybe someone like this could sell your pieces on your behalf to there customers too?

 

[profitxchange]

I would certianly try a website.
I would also see if you can exhibit in local libraries, and other public buildings.
How much art do you have? Is it your mum's work or someone else's.

Are there any large corporate HQ's - use their reception area.

As an alternative altogether could you hire copies to businesess? their wall are usually very blank and uninteresting.

 

[numberwang]

But..how would i go about selling this stuff? you can't sell it online because its not supposed to be 50% off stuff, its never being done again, one off, no prints will be made, canvas artwork using acrylic paints.

Would it be a case of going to london and to some of the galleries?

Sorry I don't quite get this statement. Lots of artists sell from their websites and through galleries. Galleries usually take about 40% & usually it's on a sale or return basis.

Don't try to undercut the galleries as they don't like it & won't show your work.

Why don't you just approach some galleries & get the work sold by them?

 

[Esk247]

Sorry I don't quite get this statement. Lots of artists sell from their websites and through galleries. Galleries usually take about 40% & usually it's on a sale or return basis.

Don't try to undercut the galleries as they don't like it & won't show your work.

Why don't you just approach some galleries & get the work sold by them?

easier said than done..we're Yorkshire based and the artwork is not Yorkshire style so few galleries will accept the work with the exception of MIMA (middlesbrough) and Leeds/York based galleries however, these have a 2-3 month waiting list plus a setup fee of £500 for a weekend and they have mixed results.

i've had a word with a few people since putting this post up and they're also finding it hard..yes they're selling but they're not really turning a profit due to travel, exhibition costs, advertising etc.

we did an exhibition a few weeks ago in some new apartments with a few other artists..nobody sold a thing..and that still cost money for transport, framing up, insurance etc for no real gain.

it just seems to be a lot of work for minimum reward in the current climate...lots of exhibitions in london but we'd have to take a few days out to do it and even then, would we make a profit? probably not.

 

[Esk247]

oh and it very rarely sells online...this work is around £1000 upwards in value so tends to sell at auction houses and private galleries in high class areas...at £1,000 upwards for a piece, its very hard to sell online when you're new and untested.

we're building a new website so we'll see what that brings, fresh new images, the opportunity to view in a private gallery space and have work created to your colour scheme (not printed/digital..actually hand painted and shaped by the artist taking 3 - 4 weeks to complete)

 

[Free Lance]

It's a really clever idea for original artists and costs you nothing. I know the owner and originator of the idea - it's had quite a lot of exposure. It works like this:

1. Artist hands over work for exhibiting at Art Switch. AS stores it but puts details on its website. All free to the artist I think.

2. The website is good. Clients of AS choose works they want to hire. It only costs them £1 per day and that goes direct to the artist. (AS make money by transport and hanging costs). Clients include corporates, universities etc. who want to hang original pieces in their lobbies.

3. Your work also has a price (you determine) next to it on the website and can be bought through the website - AS take a commission but it's more like 25%. The clever bit is depending on the interest in the work (it could be booked in advance for years) it's price to buy goes up or down. A mini art market.

Why not give it a go. It's not the answer to you all your questions but gets your art on the internet and hopefully in lobbies of public buildings too.

 

[numberwang]

Ummm I think we're talking about different things. Your approach seems to be to set up solo/joint exhibitions which will cost, as you are effectively hiring the space.

A lot of the time you will barely cover your costs unless the work is very marketable (i.e. horses/figurative work seem to do ok for some reason :|).

The usual approach though is to approach galleries with a few pieces, they handle everything (hanging etc) & take their commission. If the work is presented well (i.e. doesn't need re-framing) there should be no upfront costs from the gallery. Get several galleries on board & you would hopefully see the work moving...

 

[Esk247]

Ummm I think we're talking about different things. Your approach seems to be to set up solo/joint exhibitions which will cost, as you are effectively hiring the space.

A lot of the time you will barely cover your costs unless the work is very marketable (i.e. horses/figurative work seem to do ok for some reason :|).

The usual approach though is to approach galleries with a few pieces, they handle everything (hanging etc) & take their commission. If the work is presented well (i.e. doesn't need re-framing) there should be no upfront costs from the gallery. Get several galleries on board & you would hopefully see the work moving...

might try this in london...because we've approached the standard galleries here and they say 'no way mate' they only sell watercolours and acrylics of the Endeavour or Whitby Abbey and such..this is very much modern paint splashed on aboard with feathers sticking out of it work...the London lot might prefer this, it's a bit random and creates a talking point.

you'd think you could approach a gallery and say 'here, have these 3 and see if you can sell them' but it doesnt work like that, they either have a theme or are inundated with work..one gallery hasn't got a space for 2/3 months and thats just for one painting.

 

[1LOVE MEDIA]

Hi,

I would definatley say online is worth a try initially before spending any money. The key is to find an online gallery that would suit the style of work. They are likely to take 25 -40% and if they have a show comming up this will drive more customers to their site as will their newsletter if they have a good following.

If they think their customers will like it, they'll take it on and do the marketing for you. Obviously, with online it is pretty important they have a show comming up, or they certainly don't deserve 40% as they have few costs to cover. For Urban art it's easy you can just join banksy.info and sell it through there, thanks to MR B revolutionising the industry, it's a busy place!

I take it it's not Urban art then?

 

[Dawg]

If you want an insight into the economics of the Modern Art world, (including the status of various types of gallery, how much they expect to earn off an artist etc etc) have a look at The $12 Million Stuffed Shark.
It's a bit more complex than "this is very much modern paint splashed on aboard with feathers sticking out of it work...the London lot might prefer this, it's a bit random and creates a talking point." (Which is a bit patronizing to Londoners and non-Londoners, a feat in itself.)

 

[Esk247]

If you want an insight into the economics of the Modern Art world, (including the status of various types of gallery, how much they expect to earn off an artist etc etc) have a look at The $12 Million Stuffed Shark.
It's a bit more complex than "this is very much modern paint splashed on aboard with feathers sticking out of it work...the London lot might prefer this, it's a bit random and creates a talking point." (Which is a bit patronizing to Londoners and non-Londoners, a feat in itself.)

i feel i must apologise to those offended by my comments over feathers and paint..however...many of those who do not deal with modern art have called the work we sell 'tat' 'rubbish' 'put it in the skip' 'not worthy of sitting in a gallery next to a photo of a seagull' ... yet it's very similar to works that are selling in galleries in London..Brick Lane and such.

the Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin pieces are what i see as the 'london lot' ... it has to be off the wall..not standard, they despise work such as A Painting of HM Bark Endeavour as its seen as old hat, from the 18th century.

there is very much a north/south and culture divide when it comes to art..some prefer there traditional watercolours and acrylics while others very much like 5 metre stretch canvasses with magazine pages stuck to them.

 

[Dawg]

The feathers and paint comment was an aside. The point is to understand the art market which you unconciously seem to have done: it's about brand, hence your mention of two of the biggest current brands, Hirst and Emin.
Art my ass.

 

[Moneyman]

I am not sure if there is anyone still doing this idea but it worked for me 13 years ago in the middle of a recession in property.

If you are letting or flogging offices it is extremely hard to get the jaded agents to come and view yet another standard fitout building. free champers and a decent rubber chicken lunch were never enough. Had to be a speech by a rugby star etc with shirts thrown in. I had this idea of contacting an art gallery and getting them to fill the space with stuff and doing an evening viewing. You end up with a load of rich guys looking at your stuff and buying at a discount and they provide the booze.

You could get this idea to cover loft apartments etc. Use their lists of potential clients and joint market.

It worked and i have memories of going back home on the tube with a large bronze hippo I had spent too much on after one too many drinks. Cant remember if we let the building.

 

[Dawg]

Good one Moneyman
Still got the hippo? Called Widdecombe?

 

[Moneyman]

hippo still with me. called nigel sits by the fire. i love it but i was nearly in traction hauling it. I cant remember why i didnt get a taxi.

 

[dubes]

Personally I would advertise as a self representing artist a portfolio website is probably best were people can gain intersest but if it's an exclusive market I personally wouldn't sell online what I would do is sell my name with art of this type its the artist they want not the ikea effect of art that matches your decor this is a wider mass market.

Exhibiting within your local area is always good coffee shops local art shops hold exhibitions. Engage with the local universisty talent a collaboration with a younger up and coming artist is more likely to get you noticed in london circles rather than going in blind. Many of the small galleries in london will take artwork as resellers and not necessellary exhibit but this is a case of endless trawling and rejections.

There are many more cities that engage with the arts and talent. manchesters northern quarter has many small galleries full of self represnting artists and has a comunity spirit that runs through the cafes and bars that support this talent, and is alot more relaxed than the small galleries of soho london.

Try creativemanchester.org.uk

Hope this helped. :0)

Donna

 

[Esk247]

I am not sure if there is anyone still doing this idea but it worked for me 13 years ago in the middle of a recession in property.

If you are letting or flogging offices it is extremely hard to get the jaded agents to come and view yet another standard fitout building. free champers and a decent rubber chicken lunch were never enough. Had to be a speech by a rugby star etc with shirts thrown in. I had this idea of contacting an art gallery and getting them to fill the space with stuff and doing an evening viewing. You end up with a load of rich guys looking at your stuff and buying at a discount and they provide the booze.

You could get this idea to cover loft apartments etc. Use their lists of potential clients and joint market.

It worked and i have memories of going back home on the tube with a large bronze hippo I had spent too much on after one too many drinks. Cant remember if we let the building.

believe it or not..this is what we used to do, it was picked up by Peter Jones from the Dragons Den back in 2003 and we were the leaders in hiring art to architects offices and corporate office spaces until the advent of Digital Printing techniques..basically..anyone with Photoshop and a camera can manipulate images and blow them up to A1 or higher then stick them in a frame and sell them for £5.99 down at the local Flock-a-Tat..it's most annoying!

we did do an exhibition in some show homes but alas..nobody bought anything, these were exclusive properties and apartments in a newbuild development with swimming pool, orangery, private parking and concierge etc etc but alas..nothing sold not even any enquiries!

i think it does come down to brand though and thats something we'll be studying in September..creating a label, a must-have specialist item, part of a collection etc. if that doesn't work then i'm stumped.

 

[Esk247]

Personally I would advertise as a self representing artist a portfolio website is probably best were people can gain intersest but if it's an exclusive market I personally wouldn't sell online what I would do is sell my name with art of this type its the artist they want not the ikea effect of art that matches your decor this is a wider mass market.

Exhibiting within your local area is always good coffee shops local art shops hold exhibitions. Engage with the local universisty talent a collaboration with a younger up and coming artist is more likely to get you noticed in london circles rather than going in blind. Many of the small galleries in london will take artwork as resellers and not necessellary exhibit but this is a case of endless trawling and rejections.

There are many more cities that engage with the arts and talent. manchesters northern quarter has many small galleries full of self represnting artists and has a comunity spirit that runs through the cafes and bars that support this talent, and is alot more relaxed than the small galleries of soho london.

Try creativemanchester.org.uk

Hope this helped. :0)

Donna

Manchester is very much on my hit-list of possible locations, exclusive apartments and corporate buildings would no doubt enjoy having specialist artwork strapped to there walls...it creates a talking point while people are waiting for meetings.