Exclusive gallery representation or keep your options open?

Both perspectives have merit, like you say it depends. I found that when just starting out multiple exhibits helped to “get you out there” and become known. Once established and if the gallery is successful in selling your art then it’s time to go exclusive. Make sense?

When I was actively pursuing, every gallery that I inquired was very complimentary but none would take me on because my art wasn't cohesive with their artists. I ended up turning away from art because I was tired of doing exhibitions and not finding representation. Just getting back into it now. My preference is one gallery representing me. I'm not comfortable promoting myself, setting prices, etc. I just want to paint and let someone else wax poetically about my work ;)

Back in the day, a gallery could actually blow an artist up with invested interest, big advertising, and gala openings of the artist's exclusive works. But now it seems they want to hold you exclusive to them but you are only one of many they want to show and no real investment. I spent more on advertising than the gallery did! And they wanted exclusive control of the artwork, not to be shown anywhere else.

Hmmm. Don't know. I'm waiting for galleries to fight over me.....

Please respond in English. I do not speak Spanish

One gallery per city..

I don’t feel that any one gallery or selection of galleries works as well as I do for selling my art , with modern media

I've done all of the above. So much depends on the gallery and your relationship with it. Artist/gallery relationships are much like marriages, with constant give and take and also, each party changes over time and the other may or may not accept those changes as best for themselves. At this point in my (long) career, I wouldn't sign an exclusivity clause and I'd definitely not enter a gallery relationship that didn't respect my website presence and direct sales. But getting started?? The gallery holds the best cards and they know it. Be flexible, listen, and learn from gallery representation. Just don't get into something that limits your growth.

FYI The highest selling, easiest gallery relationship I've ever had was with an established gallery that was very professional, had strict guidelines and was opinionated about what they hung-- they knew what they could sell and to whom-- but they didn't have me sign an exclusivity clause and treated me like family. And they loved it when my website pointed a sale their way. Win/win.

One gallery, deep relationship I have once opted-in. It solved my problem of surfing here and there, between galleries for sales. But, the main issue with operating this way is just that the price was fixed by the gallery. And at the end I got lost, when the gallery says, it's enough and placed me under "until further notice". However, I love the fact that I had open-market and my studio-time, got me more impetus for my paintings. And like I said earlier, the gallery collected enough from me and then got me stuck, financially.. I still prefer spending time in my studio, to going about galleries or waiting for replies from galleries and that's what frustrates and saps my energy. I always have the believe "until one gets there, the journey doesn't end, here".

As an artist and a gallery owner it is pretty apparent that having your work in top notch galleries that for your current status as an artist is imperative to your success. A gallery that does not have exclusivity in its contract will be broke in no time. We cannot promote and compete without it. I have had my work in 6 galleries plus my own in areas of the US that are affluent and where my work is well received. It takes a gallery years to build a solid clientele for one artist. I’m speaking about emerging and some emerged artists. Do not expect instant sales, it takes time.

Depends on how big the gallery is, perhaps, although it shouldn't be all about unit sales, I'd argue that there has to be an element of fun within the relationship Not production line.

I knew two artists whose gallery/agent said 'Oh, the world loves this particular thing from you, please roll these out, we will make an awful lot of money!' They walked away, never ever regretting the decisions they made that day to keep a hold of their autonomy and direction.

Multiple galleries more option and different artwork.

I prefer to have more options.

Multiple galleries to start with and then you can select the one that meets your needs or open your own.

I’m new to selling and representing, I’ve done a couple of commissions and portraits. I would love to do some exhibitions when I have enough paintings under my belt.