So I went to enter a competition. And then I looked at the terms and conditions and changed my mind. The competition is run by Levis and Vice magazine in the UK. To offer the winner some space in London and you win a gift voucher at a Levis store.
(The terms and conditions are here)
I found this to be a bit useless. Maybe it is more youth oriented and I need to move on from these things, but I’m not sure. It got me thinking about how much people use artists. How much magazines, musicians, and worst of all, galleries, use artists for the money that they simply DO NOT have.
Galleries charge through the roof for hire, some for other ridiculous bits and bobs, and then slap on a commission on top. Now, I understand the justification of this, but I don’t agree with it when the money gets too much and the service that is provided is shitfull. Do art galleries not understand that if you do not have artists, you have no purpose? Do you think if you keep treating artists and their work like second rate that they are going to keep coming back?
I am very distressed when it comes to gallery shopping for a show. Distressed, angry and very disappointed. If it’s money you’re simply after, go run a different business. Or do your job better.
-End rant-
All images and copyrights belong to Lily Mae Martin © 2009 www.lilymaemartin.com email: lily@lilymaemartin.com
be empowered with that realization. the gallery needs you, but you don't necessarily need the gallery. you could do it all on your own but it's a ton of work.
as far as competitions, screw that. I stopped doing that about 5 years ago. i used to enter them and threw my money away on a hope to win something. it's a joke. unless you know the judge(s) and what they like you're not gonna win. I used to drive 3 hours one way to drop off my work to a place i competed in 3 years in a row. Every year they awarded abstract art only. and it was crap.
keep your money and buy business cards.
lol, yeah, i am actually in the market for business cards at the moment.
Know of any good sites?
XOX