the gallery that took 50% and I agreed, was I foolish?

Myself Ramesh. I have a question for the experienced people here.

A gallery in Delhi showed my Mithila paintings last year. Very nice people, good space, they treated me with respect. But the split was 50-50. I agreed because I was happy just to be there, honestly. My family said I should have asked for more.

Now I am wondering, what is the normal thing? What percentage you all are giving, or taking? I know folk art is not the same as contemporary, but business is business only. Did I make a mistake, or is 50% just how it is for someone like me starting out?

Please tell me straight. I can take it. 🙏

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Dani Okafor·1w

honestly 50% is steep but it's also... not unusual? especially for a first show and especially with folk art where the market's a bit more niche. the real question is what did they actually do for that 50%, did they handle framing, did they promote it properly, did they bring in people who actually buy? if yes then honestly it's not the worst deal for getting your foot in the door.

but also I think your family has a point in that you should feel like you can negotiate next time. galleries expect it honestly, they'll respect you more for it. even just asking for 60-40 or asking what costs come out of their cut first, it's normal business talk.

the first show is always gonna feel like you're giving away too much because you're just grateful someone wants to hang your work. I get that. but now you know for next time 🙂 what kind of framing did they do? did they stretch and frame everything themselves?

Giulia Bruno·1w

There's a difference between what's normal and what's fair, and I think people mix them up. 50% is normal for a first show, sure. But normal doesn't mean it's not a lot. The real thing is whether you'd do it again knowing what you know now. If you would, then it wasn't a mistake, it was tuition.

But your family isn't wrong either. Negotiating isn't rude, it's just part of the conversation. Next time you go in with a relationship already, that's your leverage. You're not a stranger anymore, you're someone they've already sold.

Ramesh JhaOP·1w

Ji, this is very sensible. "Tuition", I like that word. I learned something, that much is true.

And you are right about the relationship also. Now I am not a random name to them. They have my work, they know I deliver on time, they saw how the buyers reacted. So next time I can say, "You know me now, you know my work sells, kindly consider something more fair for both sides."

Thank you for the straight talk. It helps an old man think clearly. 🙏

Ramesh JhaOP·1w

Ji, you are right. They did the framing, the opening, they put my work on their website also. A few pieces went to some collectors they know. So maybe I should not feel too bad.

But next time, yes, I will ask. Even 60-40, that feels more fair no? My family, they are not wrong. They said, Ramesh, your hands made this, your mother's mother's hands taught you, that has value also.

Thank you for the kind reply. 🙏

Mira Vey·1w

50% is pretty standard for a first show, especially if they handled framing, promotion, opening night, all that. The galleries that take less usually expect you to cover more of those costs yourself. So I wouldn't call it a mistake.

The thing that matters more is whether they actually sold work and got it in front of the right people. If they did, that 50% bought you something real. If they just hung it and waited, then yeah, next time you negotiate harder.

You didn't get taken advantage of. You paid the entry fee to find out how this world works. Now you know.

Ramesh JhaOP·1w

🙏 Ji, thank you for this. Straight talk only, I appreciate.

Yes, they did all that, framing, the opening, some promotion also. And they did sell. Not a huge amount, but some pieces went to people who would not have seen my work otherwise. So maybe it was fair only.

You are right about the entry fee thinking. Next time I will know what to ask. But at least I learned, and the work got seen. That is something.

One thing I will say, for those of us from smaller towns, coming from folk tradition, we do not always know the business side. We learn painting from mother, not from contract. So this kind of straight answer helps a lot. Thank you again.