You've probably walked past one, but you may not have dared to enter it: a gallery. That is why we visited Tsjalling Venema from the gallery with tsjalling: in the heart of Groningen. We asked him what a gallery is and what a gallery owner does. “I want to show young people that it is fun to buy art and to have something very beautiful in your possession. Buying art can be addictive. ” These are the 5 most important things you should know about galleries:
1. A GALLERY PROMOTES ARTISTS
Venema explains that a gallery owner does more than just sell art: "A gallery has two goals: promoting artists and selling work." The bottom line is that each gallery owner, just like the national coach of the Dutch national team, has a fixed selection of artists under his wing. Venema says he scouts these artists for graduation exhibitions, exhibitions or via tips. “Artists are often associated with one gallery, at least in a certain area and do not exhibit in other galleries. After all, there is a lot of work in the promotion of an artist. ” So you can play in the Dutch team or the German, but not in both.
2. DON'T HESITATE BUT JUST ENTER THIS GALLERY
Venema emphasizes that his gallery has a diverse audience. “There are many artists who want to know what their colleagues are doing. But I also sit next to a homeless shelter, and so homeless people sometimes walk in. ” Everyone is welcome at with tsjalling. “It costs nothing to enter; it is part of the promotion of the gallery and the artists.
A GALLERY IS INTENDED TO DISPLAY AND DISTRIBUTE ART. Tsjalling Venema
3. A GALLERY IS NOT AN ART TRADE
In addition to galleries, there are also art dealers. The difference between the two is not always clear. Venema states that many "galleries" are actually not galleries at all, but art dealers. "An art dealer often owns the works it sells, while a gallery works on a so-called consignment basis." This means that the works of art that hang in a gallery are still in the possession of an artist: when a work is sold, the artist and the gallery share the profit. A gallery often only shows works by living artists. An art dealer, on the other hand, can sell works of artists who are already underground, because the works of art are owned by the trade itself. When a work goes over the counter, the art dealer receives the full amount.
4. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE RICH TO BUY ART AT A GALLERY
According to Venema, you don't have to have a big wallet to walk out of a gallery with a work of art under your arm. “My price range is between 85 and 8,500 euros. Everyone can pay something, "he says." In addition, there is of course the Mondriaan Fund's Art Purchase scheme, "he adds. With an interest-free loan you don't pay the amount in one go, but in installments.
5. A GALLERY GIVES AN INSIGHT INTO THE TASTE OF THE GALLERY OWNER
A supermarket owner will have to sell Brussels sprouts even if he thinks they are dirty, but a gallery owner is less likely to sell a painting he finds ugly. Venema emphasizes that there are galleries that sell very decorative paintings and galleries with a great love for conceptual art, for which you have to take a moment before the penny drops. He himself likes to work with a narrative character. "I find it interesting how you can tell a story while you only have one image. Sometimes it is intended by the artist and sometimes not at all. I like works that do not immediately reveal their story."
During the conversation we find out that you can write full bookcases about galleries, but you just have to experience it. So don't even hesitate to enter a gallery when you walk past one again.
Note: This article is translated using Google Translate
This article was updated on May 14th 2021.