I received this email today regarding my previously posted illustration “Born to Run“, I have cut out any identifying details.
“Dear Campbell Whyte,
My name is xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx a curator/publicist based in NYC, and I’m interested in your work entitled “Born to Run.“ I really enjoy your figurative works. I find that each piece culls directly from nature replete with a humanistic narrative and unique style. Using an amazing array of colors, shadows and contrasts, your light-filled paintings express a range of emotion that stimulate the eye and the mind. I find your work to be fresh and contemporary and I’d love to know more about them.
I am working with the owner of xx xxxx xxxxxxxx and we would like to publish a full page of your work in print and online. In addition I also want to exhibit your work at xxxxxxxx Gallery, representing your work for an entire year. This is a strong opportunity to promote and present your works. The fee for a full years worth of publicity and promotion is $1,900 for online & print media, publishing and production costs.
Here is a sample of our work:
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxx xxxxx
Please click this link for the full publicity proposal and exhibition invitation. We look forward to working with you.
Kind Regards
xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx
Associate Curator
Of course, I promtly replied to such a generous offer.
“Hi xxxxxxxx,
Thanks for being in touch regarding my work.
I’m a little confused however by your description of my illustration “Born to Run.”
The work in question is a pen and ink illustration based on the Game of Thrones television series. It is a very low contrast almost monochrome image which is quite desaturated really. Not at all like the flourishing description you gave it.
Your offer to represent me in New York is very kind but I have to decline. As a professional artist, I know that the money in any working relationship should be flowing to me, the producer. If there is a middle man involved (as there often is) then they get a percentage of the money as it flows to me. This is the same economic model that functions in every single industry. That the primary producer gets paid.
This has been my experience in all galleries I’ve exhibited in, in all publications I’ve had work in, in all murals I’ve done and so on.
I have looked at your site, and it appears obvious to me that my work is a poor fit for your gallery. It would not fit well within your current stable, nor would it reach the buyers that would most appreaciate my work. It also appears as though you represent the interests of too many artists to count, just looking at your last few months worth of exhibitors reveal dozens and dozens of different creators.
I don’t feel that my professional practice would get the best of your attention if I was to commit myself to you.
Again, thank you for the offer, but I will not be investing in your business.
Campbell”
Let us be clear, these spaces exist to prey on artists through their vanity. It is aimed at stroking the ego and causing one to fall in to a day dream of being “discovered” in New York. Of tracing the path of artists like Basquiat, going from the streets to to the auction house in twelve little months.
If you do work, you should be paid. If other people make money along the way, then so be it.
