Paul Klein is the Art Curator for the 2.5 million square foot expansion of McCormick Place and former owner of the Chicago art gallery Klein Art Works. Paul is also a collector, arts writer and corporate art advisor. He lives and works in Chicago.
Neoteric Art: Do you think the only way an artist can garner any success is through the representation of an art gallery?
Paul Klein: Absolutely not. An artist does not need a gallery. A gallery is but an option. And now, with the internet a very viable means for exchanging ideas and images, it is particularly important for the artist to be accountable for his or her own career. The artist must steer and not relinquish responsibility. It is not sufficient to just make good art—that’s just the beginning.
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
I think that the internet has become a very important place for exchanging ideas and such, but so far it’s mostly artists doing it. — a very good thing for building part of a community, but I don’t see many collectors looking online for new artists. Is there a way to connect with them without a dealer?
April 26th, 2008 at 9:28 am
The internet – all by itself – is not going to work so well for a ‘new’ artist. Just because you have an apartment in a building on a street does not mean the people down the block know you live there. It is about networking (the net). Meet your neighbor first and grow it from there. Have a website. Link to others. Exhibit with others. Share mailing lists. Put work on the Saatchi and other sites. Be thorough. Be friendly, Be aggressive.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Are there a lot of artists out there selling their work ($5000.00 and up) straight out of their studio without gallery representation? I still think most collectors feel the gallery system and/or museum curator validates the artist.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Hey Norbert: I realize this a is not a new question for artists about gallery representation, but it sure seems to be a heated one….I will send people from my blog to read Paul Klein’s input on your site.
June 27th, 2008 at 7:52 am
At this point in time to play with the big boys and girls you need gallery representation - - having a website will only get you so far…having a show at a respectable gallery will garner more (potential reviews, sales, other gallery shows, museum shows, etc…)