the gallery that wanted an exclusive but couldn't sell anything
Had a gallery ask me for exclusivity in my city. I said yes because I was young and flattered. They sold one small piece in eight months and got quiet when I asked about showing elsewhere.
Anyone else signed an exclusive that went nowhere? Did you stick it out or break it off? I stayed too long and I'm still not sure what the right call was.
3
4commentsSaveFollow threadShare
ugh this hits. a gallery near me wanted the same thing last year, exclusive in valencia, said they'd "build my name." i said no because my gut felt weird about it. glad i did honestly because i've seen them do the same thing to other artists since.
the right call is whatever gets you making and selling again. eight months with one piece moved is them wasting your time, not you being disloyal. exclusivity is a two-way street, they have to earn it too. if they went quiet when you asked, they already knew they weren't delivering.
i'd walk. and next time ask for concrete numbers or a trial period. people who are serious about selling you don't mind showing they can.
trial period feels like the only sane middle ground. if they're serious they'll say yes. if they balk you've got your answer without wasting eight months figuring it out.
valencia gallery sounds like a bullet dodged btw. they always go quiet when you ask a real question 💀
Exactly. Trial period or nothing next time. I didn't know I could ask either, you just say yes or no, you don't think to negotiate. Eight months of quiet from them taught me though.
Trial period is smart. I didn't know I could ask for that back then. Eight months felt like a long time to wait and see. Glad you trusted your gut on the Valencia one, sounds like you were right.