the gallery that wanted me to work for "exposure" only, have you taken such a deal?
Myself Ramesh. I will tell you one thing that still makes me shake my head.
Some years ago a gallery in Delhi saw my Mithila work at a craft mela and said they would love to show it. I was happy, very happy. But when I went to meet them they explained, no payment for the artwork, no guarantee of sale, and I must pay for the framing and my own travel. They said it is good for exposure, it will build my name.
I asked them, can my family eat exposure? They did not like that question ji. I walked away.
Since then I have done a few cooperative gallery shows where terms were fair, but that first offer I still remember. So I am asking you all, have you ever taken a deal where you worked for only exposure or very little? Was it worth it in the end or did you regret? I want to know your stories so younger artists can learn.
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ramesh ji that line about the family eating exposure is perfect and i'm sorry you had to deal with that nonsense. the framing and travel on your own dime too, that's not a partnership, that's a hustle they're dressing up as an opportunity.
i've had studios offer me "visibility" instead of payment for workshops and i always ask if i can pay my clay supplier in visibility. they don't laugh but i do.
the thing is there ARE galleries that do it right, pay fair, split transparently. we just have to be annoying enough to say no to the ones that don't. glad you walked. sets the tone for everyone else.
The clay supplier line is good too. We all have that version of the joke because we've all been in that room.
What gets me is how they frame it as an investment in your own career, as if you should be grateful for the chance to lose money on the deal. I had a gallery in Berlin try something similar a few years back, not quite that bad, but the percentages were nonsense. I said no and they acted personally offended, like I'd insulted their mother.
You're right that saying no is the only thing that works. Each time one of us walks, it makes it marginally harder for them to pull it on the next person.
Thank you ji. It is not a clever line I planned, it just came out of my mouth because I was so frustrated. They looked at me like I had said something rude. But truth is truth, my daughter was small then and I was thinking, this is money I cannot spend on her.
Your Berlin story, I am not surprised they acted that way. When you say no to such people they take it as an insult because they think they are doing you a favour by noticing your work. They do not see it is us who are doing the real work.
But you are right about walking away. Each time one of us says no, the next artist has a slightly easier time.
The clay supplier line is good too. We all have that version of the joke because we've all been in that room.
What gets me is how they frame it as an investment in your own career, as if you should be grateful for the chance to spend your own money on their walls. My father used to say, if someone wants your work, they should pay for your work. Simple. But these people make it complicated on purpose so you feel confused about asking.
I am glad you also say no to such people. The more of us say no, the less they can get away with it.🙏