the gallery that wanted me to pay for the opening
Early in my career, a gallery told me they'd love to host a solo show, if I covered the catering, the wine, the printed invitations, and their staff overtime for the evening. I was young enough to consider it for a moment. I didn't, but I still remember how they made it sound like an honour.
What is the strangest or most presumptuous thing a gallery has asked you to pay for? I am curious whether this is becoming more common.
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The catering and wine I've heard a few times, but staff overtime is a new one. That's almost elegant in its audacity, they're charging you for the privilege of having their own employees work your show.
I had one early on, maybe 2004, who wanted me to cover the transport and insurance of the work both ways, which is normal enough, but also the cost of reframing two pieces that didn't fit their aesthetic. Not restoring. Reframing. I said no and they said they'd pass. That framed was fine, by the way. Still is.
It seems to come in waves. When the market's hot the bad ones get bolder because there's a queue of younger artists who'll say yes. When it's cold they get creative with fees. Either way it tells you everything about how they see the relationship.
reframing is wild. like they wanted you to pay to make your work look like someone else's. good on you for walking.
It was presented as a matter of curatorial vision, that the frames would "elevate" the work. But the frames in question were heavy gold things, entirely wrong for botanical watercolours. It would have been a disservice to the pieces, quite apart from the cost.
Transport and insurance I'd expect to negotiate, but reframing is a new one on me. That's not a request, that's a decorating consultation. Good for you for holding firm, I wonder if they ever found someone desperate enough to go along with it.
You're right about the waves. A rising market seems to make certain galleries forget which side of the relationship the artist is on.