Over a year ago, I shared a post called “List of predicted art galleries that will go out of business in the next few years” Some did. No shock there. Then it just became a thing, another day, another gallery collapsing. No one was even surprised anymore. But these last few months? OH. MY. GOD. Things went off the rails.
This time, artists are PISSSSSSSSED. Like, really done. They’re pulling up to galleries demanding their unsold work back because, obviously, they’ve lost all faith they’ll ever see their cut. They’re suing gallery owners. They’re naming names. Publicly. Loudly. And honestly? Good.
What’s especially wild is watching gallery owners try to hide their absolute chaos behind “personal issues.” Like yeah, we all go through stuff. Life happens. But a gallery isn’t your quirky little side project, it’s a business. A real one. Artists depend on you. If you’re dealing with a breakup, family drama, or your daddy cut off your trust fund, sorry, but that doesn’t give you a free pass to destroy people’s work or life.
Imagine being a successful artist, work selling well, name out there, and STILL not getting paid for a few months, over a year or even longer. And yet, somehow, you’re expected to just keep making more. Meanwhile, you’ve got a family, rent, a studio, bills. And the amount you’re owed? You could literally buy a house with it. And you’re just… waiting?
Some galleries act like paying artists is a ‘favour.’ Like, ‘Oh we’ll process that soon, it’s just… complicated.’ What’s complicated? You got paid. Forward the artist’s cut. It’s literally just math. Not a metaphysical concept. So yeah, next time a gallery tries to guilt you for ‘not trusting the process,’ remind them: trust isn’t free. It’s earned. And currently, they’re overdrawn.
Galleries are run by adults, no? Or did I miss something? The art world loves its glitzy parties and luxury brand name-dropping, but at the end of the day, what matters more? Paying the artist who made the work… or buying another round at the fair’s afterparty to flex on your Instagram story? This isn’t just about a few bad galleries. It’s a culture. A system where artists are treated like disposable content creators, while middlemen drink champagne and collect credit.
And another thing, why are gallery owners suddenly obsessed with opening bars, clubs, social spaces? Cool, you want another income stream. But maybe, just maybe, focus on selling the actual art before you launch your next overpriced cocktail den?
All of this should be a MASSIVE red flag for artists. Always. Always. ALWAYS put in writing when you’re getting paid after a sale. Weeks? Months? Spell. It. Out. If they hesitate or give you some vague BS, ask why. And then ask yourself: why am I trusting these people?
Honestly, at this point, every artist should carry a lawyer like a phone charger. Someone says, ‘Let’s do a show!’ and you’re like, ‘Cool. Lemme loop in my legal team and we’ll talk net terms.’ Watch how fast they vanish.
If a gallery ever tells you ‘we’re more like a family here’, run. That’s cult talk. Unless they mean mafia family, in which case at least you know you’ll get something in writing. And probably sign it with your own blood. Safety first.
One day I want artists to start treating galleries the same way galleries treat them. You get a message three months after the show: ‘Hey, I might be able to drop off the artwork next week. Been a bit swamped emotionally. Mercury is in retrograde.’
Honestly, the way things are going, maybe the payment system needs to flip. Let the money go straight to the artist’s bank account first. Then the artist decides if the gallery learns about it and gets their cut. Or doesn’t. Maybe they “forget” the work sold. And when the gallery finally follows up a year later, it’s like, “Ohhh that painting? Yeah, I pre-sold it before the show. I’ll pay you back… in five years. In instalments.” Or maybe not at all. One day, I want to see an artist sipping a dirty martini in Ibiza, while the gallerist’s in their inbox like: ‘Hey, any update on that payment for the show? It’s been 18 months…’ Let’s be real, if the gallery’s already bankrupt, what are they gonna do? Sue you? Please.
Honestly… might be the smartest idea yet.