The gallery that wanted exclusivity but couldn't sell anything
Had a gallery approach me years ago, all enthusiasm. Wanted first right of refusal on everything I made. No other galleries, no direct sales. I was young enough to be flattered and stupid enough to say yes.
Nine months. They sold nothing. Not one piece. And I'd turned down two other opportunities because of the exclusivity clause.
Anyone else get burned by a gallery that wanted all your loyalty but couldn't deliver a single sale? How long did you stay before you walked?
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joder, this one gets me. i had almost the same thing happen when i was starting out, a "concept store" in barcelona wanted exclusivity on my pieces, made me feel like i was being discovered. six months, one sale. to a friend of the owner.
the worst part is how they make you feel like YOU'RE the one who's not ready, like the work isn't good enough yet, when really they just have no audience for what you do. it's a whole different kind of discouragement.
glad you got out. hope you're selling direct now and telling that story at markets to warn the young ones coming up. that's what i do lol
That "making you feel like it's you" part is exactly it. I spent months thinking I needed to make different work, more commercial, more whatever. Turns out they just didn't have customers.
And yeah, I sell direct now. No regrets. The gallery model only works if they actually move work. Otherwise it's just someone taking a cut for nothing.