Digital BW, The Print

Mark,

I agree with what Amadou is saying.  I find that a phone call to a 
gallery inquiring about their submission policy is always a good thing,  
generally it's a slide portfolio first.  The reputable and experienced 
ones screen out the inappropriate work this way, then request in-person 
showings.  Never just show up with your porfolio, it demonstrates a 
lack of respect for their need for this procedure, and they will regard 
you as inexperienced.  Sometimes the request to leave work behind is 
because the person you are speaking to is not the decision-maker for 
acceptance of work.  If you query and submit slides in advance, you 
will avoid this situation anyways.

I never have written a statement, but prefer a short description of the 
process.  I think its really that galleries just want something 
personally stated from the artist, and many artists take advantage of 
it to BS themselves into the rarified air of "artiste." And the 
instances of galleries taking off with work are rare amongst the better 
venues...

Phil
http://philbard.com


> What about visiting other galleries in your area and looking at the 
> catalogs, artist statements, price lists, etc of other artists? Also 
> check out some web sites of photographers, painters, sculptors, 
> what have you. I think you'll find a wide variety of artist 
> statements--ranging from the "I explore the duality of memory 
> and cognition through a postmodern sensibility..." to simple 
> descriptions of technique.  It only has to be obtuse and 
> self-absorbed if you want it to be.
> 
> Art, unlike investment banking, tends not to have a lot of rules.
> 
> Re: the horror stories of galleries making off with people's work; 
> most places avoid this by  reviewing slides of one's 
> work--dupes, of course. If your work sparks interest in this first 
> round, they'll ask to see prints, and you, in person.
> 
> Amadou Diallo