Over the course of the last few weeks I visited a few shopping malls. I targeted art galleries and décor shops in particular, because that is where my interest lies. I spoke to a number of owners (and managers) and they had a few interesting “stories” to tell. One gallery manager in an upmarket mall told me that she was selling art works online and that she as an art connoisseur herself, would not dare buy any art work online, unless she had seen the work in person. She was happy that people were buying, but she did not understand it at all.
Another art dealer in a less prominent business area – a foreigner from Asia – handed me his boss’s business card. The boss was a foreigner himself and he was selling carpets and the works of prominent South African artists. (I sincerely hoped that the beautiful works of these South African artists, which I saw stacked in his shop, and which I inspected, were not obtained through illegal means.)
I decided to call the “boss” and he told me that he was prepared to look at my work. He was dealing in various ways; he could buy the works or he could sell them for me on a consignment basis. I was a little disturbed by what I saw in this gallery; something was bothering me. I believe, if those South African artists whose work I saw with my very own eyes, could see their work there, I think they would feel uneasy too. I felt a bit annoyed to say the least, because I felt the presence of the artists’ community was missing or perhaps deliberately destroyed by an opportunist who saw a gap in the market. That gallery apparently “auctioned” off the works. I will leave the art galleries for a moment and I will now focus on the “bespoke” furniture stores.
I saw interesting décor pieces – imported from Italy apparently – and very expensive prints in the rustic and glamorous furniture stores. I was looking at the décor pieces which were apparently imported from Italy and the lady told me that they were digitally printed and then the famous (Italian) artist whose name was signed underneath each work would simply add a few paint strokes to give it an authentic look. The same lady told me that her boss would attend furniture trade shows overseas and then return to copy what he had seen, in his factory – which is fair. We can see anything anyhow on the smart phones.
A few other shops selling rustic furniture and accessories made from metal and tree trunks at exorbitant prices, made me scratch my head a little. As an artist or creative, this “unfair” situation is of interest to me; I would like a stake in this market – the same way other creatives desire to participate too. I understand that these upmarket stores have overheads and many salaries to pay, but where do the creatives belong in this panorama of elegance and superior taste?
We should demand that each art piece or artifact has at least a photograph of the creative responsible, which could be step one. Whatever is on sale in a gallery or a furniture store was either conceptualized or made by a creative.
· Why are so many artists or creatives completely absent in this arena?
· Why are so many creatives struggling?
· What can be done so that we can become visible?
· Why are beautiful art works sold at “auctions” which appear a bit dodgy?
I spoke to a few friends of mine and we played with a few ideas and a prominent reason for the struggle of many an artist, could be our ingrained individualism and our egos. We all want the spotlight on our own work and we want to promote prominence to our advantage and on our own terms. Have we ever thought of what we can achieve as a group of creatives? Why do we perpetuate our individual struggles, when we could unite to promote each other? I am not maintaining that all art dealers are “shady”, but can’t we sell our own work with greater flair and friendliness and with our own faces radiating our passion?
The current pandemic has stripped us of many important issues and perhaps it is time to let go of the big egos which keep us apart. If we want to survive as creatives, we will have to start looking out for each other. Is it possible? (If you are a successful artist who does not need help, we applaud you and we wish you well.)
Oh, I almost forgot. I was contacted by an art agent who saw a gap in the market – due to the pandemic – and his partner is sitting in Scandinavia. They intend to create an online gallery for South African artists and they would source and sell the works of artists or creatives – which is fair I suppose? I phoned the person and I asked him if they were not operating a “scam”? He assured me they were not, but how would I know? He promised to call me back the next day, but has not done so yet. That was just a little extra wood for my little “fire”. Imagine a group of creatives creating a legitimate online gallery with a heart that beats with real art.
The work I included here is an oil painting on calico I made in the 1990's. I cut stencils and I must have been inspired by Matisse. We can not buy unity online, but we can phone the creatives we know and talk about ways of collaborating.
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