Interview with Gallerist Nick Bentley (part 2)
Episode 14: Interview with Nick Bentley - Gallery Relationships from the Gallerist's Point of View
Most artists want to get their work on the walls of a gallery, at least until someone buys it! But just how do you get your work into a gallery? What should the relationship be between you and your gallery? Are there things that you must never do when dealing with a gallery - and are there things that the gallery should not be doing? In our second podcast interviewing Nick Bentley owner of Bils and Rye Gallery in Kirkbymoorside in North Yorkshire, Peter and Laura talk about how the relationship should work, how you might approach a gallery and gives some frank advice on things you should avoid.
During this episode, gallery owner and art dealer Nick Bentley returns to offer his expertise as a gallerist on how artists can build a strong and productive relationship with their gallery. From a first approach to thriving partnership, Nick gives great advice and plenty of practical suggestions to make life easier for both parties.
In this episode…
Approach a gallery professionally: do the decent thing and find out the name of the right person to contact. Calling to ask is a good plan; if you find the gallery is sloppy or offhand when you call, likely they treat their clients the same way. It’s not just the artist who is on trial here! Visit if possible, it’s essential you are comfortable with the way the gallery is operating.
Your history isn’t important, your work is. No need to worry about your age or education. The gallery will be looking for evidence of commitment to your art, so you’ll need to show evidence of a body of work that’s cohesive and individual.
Go with your heart and passion. Trying to create work that is purely commercial may fly for some galleries, but it will do nothing for you as a developing artist. A good gallery will support and celebrate your work developing and changing as you move forward. Just don’t confuse flitting from thing to thing with cohesive linear development.
Rejection may simply mean ‘not yet’. A gallery may well need you to spend more time developing your work before they can sell it. Keep your relationship positive. If you aren’t ready for a gallery’s wall, direct selling at fairs or shows is a great way of getting feedback from buyers while you hone your skills.
Be a professional and submit work that is properly labelled and easily matched to a delivery note listing the details of each piece supplied*. Accompany this with good photographs and the gallery will be delighted. (Laura and Peter have scheduled a podcast on photographing your work successfully, minus fancy equipment, very soon!)
Take Aways…
There are two sides to every relationship and both gallery and artist should be equally invested in the artwork. Be sure you respect the gallery and that they respect you in return. And please remember that the better your paperwork and photos, the faster the gallery can get work out in the gallery and get selling.
Links
You can find Nick Bentley at Bils and Rye Gallery www.bilsandrye.com
*Nick mentions websites dedicated to helping artists with managing their work. Here are two sites Bils and Rye recommend https://artlogic.net/ and https://artcld.com/
