Art Richter
The Marketing of the Artist
I get the impression that there is more and more talk about the success of an artist being associated with how much his or her art works get sold for. Or that recognition of an artist and the work goes hand in hand with a good marketing plan for people to get noticed. But then what happens to quality? Is there some sort of quality control put into place?
We still have critics, well reputed ones who give their mostly honest opinion on art pieces, but how much leverage do their opinions and expertise have in the actual auction room? Or when an art dealer sells a work of art to their client? These days it seems like good marketing sells better and counts more than an honest critic’s opinion. Why is this?
This is not to say people don’t listen or trust critics- they are a necessary voice of reason in the chaos of art and money that surrounds artistic production. But then again, you can’t help notice that the big artist brand names (Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince and Gerhard Richter) and works getting the most attention are represented by people used to advertising and promoting anything (ahem…Charles Saatchi) and the people buying at the highest prices are the ones used to the system of financing, hedge funds, oil tycoons, big businesses where most of the time the point is to buy, invest, and sell for a larger profit later on, with all the intricacies of marketing and branding going along the way for successful sales.
The truth is people are obsessed with money, but people are also curious about art. As artists, have you ever noticed how much attention you get from strangers if you’re simply sketching in the park? Art and money together is bound to be explosive.
Anyone who has talked to marketing specialists knows that even the best quality products won’t sell unless they’re promoted to their consumers in an appropriate manner. This almost means artists should think of their art as a commodity and product, something that needs promoting, pricing, and placing. Some artists might see this as the ultimate sin, but maybe it’s a reality check the idealistic artist has to face, or in a more positive light, it’s what needs to be done for their life and passion’s work to get the attention it needs to survive. I think many will agree the viewer is very important to the art, it’s a necessity for the art to exist. Although this is a subject of much debate, the artist creating for him or herself does not seem like a sustainable solution if their art is going to bring home the bread.
It might be tough love, but waiting to be discovered, or thinking you’re ‘selling out’ because you’ve repeated what art sells best, or even thinking you’re a godly creature put on the earth simply because you have a talent few possess are all illusions. Artists understand illusions best, so why not use the advantages of the illusions marketing can create to benefit the art and the artist?
Some concessions should be made, make yourself noticed in an intelligent and supportive way, marketing your artwork won’t necessarily change the magic or creative energy the artist initially had to make their art. However, having the ability to show others your art is worth looking at is an indispensable tool. Time will tell if what the artist has promoted does have a place in art history. Until then, my opinion is, it’s so good art is being created everyday, people fromt he beginning of time are interested in art, and that this is what you (the artist) likes to do- so why not make life easier on yourself? It only makes sense!
For more artist resources check out my friend’s blog ArtistsResources.blogspot.com and I also recommend www.MutualArt.com
About the Author
I’m Kieran Shep, an art consultant based in Darien, CT. I’m specialized in art consulting, art auctions, art markets. I deal with both clients and artists.
Art Richter
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Vintage German Postcard Richter A.G. Hamburg Series I No 8 Man on Horse #195 $6.99 |
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Original hand-coloured etching Richter Saxon Switzerland Die Eremitage Brand $25.00 |
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Original hand-coloured etching Richter Dresden gegen Mittag auf der Röknitzer $25.00 |
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Hans Richter Dimensional Artist 1957 Plaster Wall Plaques $70.00 |
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GERHARD RICHTER – Merlin, 1982 – ART PRINT POSTER $99.99 |
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J. Gould & H. C. Richter: “Numenius Phaeopus,” ca. 1870 $500.00 |
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1976 Print Ad Chivas Regal Scotch Mischa Richter Cartoon Art ~ Burglarized $4.99 |
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MUSICIAN Orchestra Hans Richter, 1917 Gravure Print $49.95 |
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1974 Mag Comic Richter Art Santa Claus & Elves $4.00 |
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Atlas by Gerhard Richter (1989, Hardcover) $550.00 |
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OAK FRAMED COUNTRY WOVEN BASKET PRINT PAT RICHTER MATTED PICTURE BASKETS/ROSES $23.99 |
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A Handbook Of Greek Art – Richter Gisela $13.91 |
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Framed Watercolor Painting Vera Richter 1906 $9.99 |
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Hank Richter watercolor Western Cowboy Art – Cautious – Mountain Man $450.00 |
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Hank Richter watercolor Western American Cowboy Art – Squaw Man – Mountain Man $450.00 |
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Sotheby’s London Contemporary Art Murakami Richter Becher Hirst Oct 2004 $15.00 |
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J. Gould and H.C. Richter Framed lithograph print $225.00 |
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The Village Violinist Richter 11″x14″ real canvas print $19.99 |
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A Lake in Reisengebirge Richter 11″x14″ Cityscape canvas print $19.99 |
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Coat of Arms – Family Crest for the Surname RICHTER 11×14 canvas print $19.99 |
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The Village Violinist Richter 11″x14″ real canvas print $19.99 |
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Forest wells nr Ariccia Italy Richter Canva 11″x14″ Landscape canvas print $19.99 |
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The Village Violinist Richter 11″x14″ real canvas print $19.99 |
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1973 Richter Art New Yorker Cover Animals at Rest Area $9.99 |
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Art postcard Gustav Richter: Queen Luise (159328) $8.00 |
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Original Oil Painting by Californian Hermann Richter $2,450.00 |
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Gerhard RICHTER German DG 1985 Poster Print Art HUGE $115.00 |
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EDOUARD RICHTER “Models in Repose” LOUCHE artist studio red artefacts CANVAS $50.57 |
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“Song of Welcome” Vintage Print:Drawn by Ludwig Richter $20.99 |
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Acrylic Painting Signed on the Front and Back “RICHTER” Floral 16″ x 20″ $25.00 |
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Louise, Queen of Prussia Antique Victorian Steel Engraving G. Richter $9.99 |
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WILHELM RICHTER OIL PAINTING ON CANVAS MEDITERRANEAN VILLAGE BY THE SEA c1892 $99.99 |
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Forest wells nr Ariccia Italy Richter Canva 11″x14″ Landscape canvas print $19.99 |
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J. Gould & H. C. Richter: “Totanus Glareola,” ca. 1870 $400.00 |
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(5) 2011 Les Richter Goal Line Art Postcard – Unsigned $6.00 |
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Genoveva in the Wood Clearing, 1839-41 (oil on canvas) by Ludwig Adrian Richter – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
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Vienna – Stefansplatz By Photo Mugs VIENNA – STEFANSPLATZ by Robert Richter, 1913 probably during Carnival…. |
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Lully: Atys [Blu-ray] $33.84 Lully’s Atys was so dear to Louis XIV that it became known as the ‘the King’s opera.’ With its unprecedented dramatic intensity, Atys was the first opera to feature a plot that revolved around love and the first French tragedy to kill off its lead character on stage. The opera was revived in 1985 when the Opéra de Paris called on William Christie and the director Jean-Marie Villégier to stage a … |
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Haydn: Il Mondo della Luna [Blu-ray] $28.42 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers [VHS] $2.00 Jack Finney’s classic science fiction novel has been the basis of three big-screen adaptations, beginning with the 1956 chiller Invasion of the Body Snatchers and most recently as 1994′s underrated Body Snatchers. This acclaimed 1978 version from director Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff) is every bit as creepy as the ’56 original, and it fits perfectly into the cycle of paranoid thrillers that thr… |
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Berges Du Lez Richter – 48W x 27H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $77.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |
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Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Collector’s Edition) $7.13 Jack Finney’s classic science fiction novel has been the basis of three big-screen adaptations, beginning with the 1956 chiller Invasion of the Body Snatchers and most recently as 1994′s underrated Body Snatchers. This acclaimed 1978 version from director Philip Kaufman (The Right Stuff) is every bit as creepy as the ’56 original, and it fits perfectly into the cycle of paranoid thrillers that thr… |
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Aliens in the Attic $4.77 Features include: •MPAA Rating: PG•Format: DVD•Runtime: 86 minutes… |
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2001 – A Space Odyssey $4.90 The senses-shattering tale of life and “afterlife” in outer space from writer Arthur C. Clarke and director Stanley Kubrick that revolutionized science-fiction films. Lunar explorers uncover an obelisk of alien origin, but who put it there, and why? Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood and HAL 9000 the Computer star. 148 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digita… |
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Computer Mouse Pad – Pocket Watch Designed By Pat Richter $3.99 Super Sale! This is an original computer mouse pad, designed by Pat Richter. High quality, non-skid backing. Other, similar designs available on Amazon or www.prgalleryinc.com. Perfect Mother’s day gift… |