CDG Panel discussion part II
Posted on November 14, 2013
Following last week's (04/11/13) panel discussion with art critic Tabish Khan, concerning the offline and online art market's, we bring you the niggling questions that you had to ask in the Q&A session, with CDG founder Eleni Duke, Antlers Gallery director Jack Gibbon, and their artists Kate Knight and Tim Lane, respectively.
Audience: How does social media affect the integrity of an art work?
Kate Knight: I'm not sure that it does affect the integrity. I think if integrity is to be questioned it is to the artist not the work.
Jack Gibbon: It can go both ways. It depends on an artists attitude, mostly it adds to the personality of the artist and builds their story. But equally tweets every half hour updating on a works progress it a bit much.
Tabish Khan: How important is a gallery relationships when you can self promote so easily?
Tim Lane: I just think that the gallery (Antlers) is really good at utilising social media, and I'm not , so I really appreciate it. Constantly updating takes away the surprise at the end.
Kate: Having representation has clout, you can't forget that. It is a reinforcement. It gives you more time to concentrate on your practice.
Audience: The integrity of representation, and their promotion of your work is the beauty of the relationship.
Eleni Duke: I do stalk a lot of artists on Facebook, and the such like. Artists using social media definitely is a good thing. I like to know that they're active in their practice, that they are ambitious and passionate. I put so much time into my relationship with my artists, that I want to know they're not about to stop working- that they are building a career.
Tabish: Talking of integrity, one point to make would be that when pressure is put on artists the best work is not produced. The Royal Academy Summer Shows ask their academicians to produce pieces specifically, and in my opinion it isn't their best work.
Eleni: The art world has changed drastically over the last 15 years with the rise of artists online presence, with sites such as Amazon and Saatchi Online. Exclusivity to a gallery, is no longer a common feature, asking and expecting from your artists has changed completely.
Audience: After hearing your opinions on Amazon art and similar companies, what do you think of Saatchi Online?
Kate: Saatchi online is completely different in that they only promote and sell art. You can't go and buy some batteries and a Kate Knight print. That's the difference.
Jack: It's a better brand to be associated with.
Tim: The one thing you have to be careful of is keeping your prices uniform and your loyalty to the gallery.
Kate: You have to be a bit wary of some online sites, purely because you have to protect your own prices and market.
Audience: Having bought pieces from Antlers Gallery before, and knowing how Jack works, I wouldn't want to buy from something that is like Ebay. I want to know the background of the work, artist and business.
Audience: As much as I want the art world to be accessible to all, which is what these online companies pride themselves on, I do think there has to be a level of selection.
Any comments, please see the form below. - Sinéad