Alan Bamberger
Art consultant, advisor, and appraiser; shares practical guidance for artists and collectors, with regular reflections on studio practice and the art market.
Immersive Art Shows: Whole Exceeds Sum of Parts
One of the signature qualities of great art shows is that the moment you enter, you feel like you leave the world behind and instantly transport to whole new realities. The individual pieces seamlessly play off one another, almost like each is a chapter in a book, scene in a play, verse in a poem. Together creating complete immersive experiences for viewers. It's strength in numbers, the whole as greater than the sum of the parts. Worth thinking about. Whether you're creating art or experiences.
Avoid Listing Unsellable Art to Prevent Buyer Confusion
Artists sometimes show art they don't want to sell, usually marking it NFS or pricing so high that no one will buy. If you love it that much, best not to show it in for-sale settings. Why? People can get...
Galleries Empower Artists by Educating Buyers and Expanding Access
Ways all artists benefit from the constant hard work galleries do: Showing how great art can look on display anywhere. Engaging with the public about the many benefits of having art in their lives. Helping us all understand that art...
Treat Your Best Art as a Future Retirement Asset
Your art can be your retirement account. The idea is to set aside a few pieces of your best work per year and hold them back until you decide to slow down or stop. The longer you're around and the...
Art Galleries Connect, Educate, and Anchor Art in Life
What good are art galleries? They live and breathe art. They add structure to the art world. They engage with art and artists all day every day... and also with collectors, curators, consultants, museums, institutions, buyers, media, influencers, etc. They...
Buy Art You Love Now, Fuel Artists' Futures
One of the great paradoxes of the art world is people who wait for artists to get known before they buy, while for artists, being able to consistently make and sell art is part of how they get known. For...
Clarify Terms, Payment, and Liability Before Consigning Art
Questions to answer before you consign art: Length of the term. How and when you get paid for sales. Party responsible for packing, shipping, handling, installing, etc. Party liable for loss, damage, theft. Party responsible for insuring the art. Insurance...
Group Shows Thrive When Curated, Suffer When Not
Downsides of group shows: Too many artists, too much art crowded too close together, lack of curation, hardly any restrictions on what artists can show, art is randomly displayed, viewers can get overwhelmed, difficult for critics to review, etc. Upsides...
Consistent Art Production Beats Quick‑Fix Strategies
For artists in search of perfect content to increase their engagement, views, online profiles, fan bases, help them sell more art, or reach whatever goals they're striving for, there is no quick fix. Nothing happens all at once. Isolated posts...
Create Authentic Art by Using Your Own References
Way too many artists use images downloaded off the Internet as references for their art. The more of this you do, the less your art is about you, the more it is about "them," and the further it is from...
Consistency Matters, but Stay True to Your Art
Rate and consistency of production are indicators many galleries and seasoned collectors consider when deciding what art to show or buy. Galleries prefer solid supply chains in case their clienteles respond favorably to a show. Both galleries and collectors prefer...
Art Exclusivity Scars Buyer Memory, Regardless of Market
Art market slowdowns always offer opportunities to reflect on how things got to where they did. Being overly exclusive about who gets to own what works of art is often part of it. For example, "qualifying" people to buy art...
Separate Sold Pieces to Keep Inventory Appealing
Mixing sold with available art on a website or storefront is not a good idea. Why? Imagine walking into a store, seeing something you want to buy, taking it up to the counter and being told, "Sorry, it's sold. You'll...
Artists Must Honestly Assess Their Work to Secure Galleries
Sometimes artists need to be honest with themselves about their art, and the challenges they may be facing in finding galleries to show it. To take a critical look at what about their work or the ways they are presenting...
Create Relentlessly; Convince Others Through Unwavering Artistic Conviction
Your art is your argument. You make that argument to yourself as well as to others. To yourself, you know what you want, make what you want, create on your terms. As for everyone else, some may need convincing. How?...
Buy Art After Silent Home Trial, No Distractions
There's so much noise around how art is presented these days both online and in person. Soundtracks, celebs, influencers, reveals, opulent interiors, extravagant blather, etc. But here's the deal: You can't take any of that home with you. It'll be...
Galleries Want Profit, Professionalism, Not Just Liked Art
Let's say a gallery likes your art. That doesn't necessarily mean you get a show. Things they also consider? Whether your prices leave enough room for them to make a profit while staying within ranges that their buyers are willing...