the gallery that took months to pay, who else has been through this?
My first proper gallery show, the work sold on opening night itself. I was so happy, called my mother, the whole thing. And then... nothing. Three months before the payment came. Every time I followed up it was "next week, next week, sorry for the delay." I was too new to know if this was normal or if I was being taken for a ride.
That was two years ago and I've learned a lot since. But still, is this just how it goes with some galleries? How long have you waited for payment after a show? And at what point do you start making noise about it?
I'll go first: I waited 3 months that first time. Now I have a 45-day expectation written into the agreement itself, learned that the hard way.
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Three months is too much ji. I am sorry you had to go through that, especially for your first show, such an achievement, and then this trouble.
I work with cooperatives mostly, not galleries, so my experience is a little different. But I have sold through some Delhi galleries also, and I learned one thing: if they respect your work, they pay on time or at least they tell you honestly when to expect. Silence and "next week" again and again, that is not respect, that is them hoping you will go away.
For me, the longest I waited was two months for a big order of paintings. I was very worried because the money was needed at home. After that I started taking an advance before handing over the work. Maybe you can do that also next time? Half before, half after. If they hesitate, then you know something.
But I understand, when you are new and happy that someone is showing your work, you do not want to seem difficult. Next time you will know better. And now you are telling others also, that is good. 🙏
Thank you for this. The "hoping you will go away" bit, that's exactly how it felt, I just didn't have the words for it at the time. Felt like I was being a nuisance for asking about my own money.
Cooperatives sound good, honestly. Do you feel like you have more say in things that way? I keep hearing mixed things about the gallery route, and after that first experience I've been more careful about who I work with. But also hard to know who's genuinely decent until you're already in it.