A gallery that doesn't do contracts is not to be trusted. If you ever have to take the gallery to court, the judge is going to look at how you run your "business." And legitimate businesses do all kinds of paperwork: contracts, letters/memoranda of understanding and, yes, consignment letters. There are also letters of reference from banks, to prove the business isn't on the verge of bankruptcy; from accountants, to prove the business is meeting its payment schedules; and from lawyers, to prove the business isn't constantly being sued. In light of this, I think a contract and consignment sheet are the least a gallery can do, especially in light of the horror stories you mentioned of artists getting back fewer works than they left with the gallery--you just know the gallery sold those missing works and pocketed all the money. I once read a story about a DC artist who gave 150 paintings to a gallery on a handshake and later wanted some of them back to do a show, only to be told by the gallerist that she didn't know what he was talking about. When he took her to court, she told the judge that the artist had given her the paintings as a birthday present. And the judge believed her. (See above for how legitimate businesses use paperwork to protect themselves.) Here's something from Warhol: "Nobody's out there writing you checks." Believe it. And get everything in writing.
Good idea, thanks.
A gallery that doesn't do contracts is not to be trusted.
If you ever have to take the gallery to court, the judge is going to look at how you run your "business." And legitimate businesses do all kinds of paperwork: contracts, letters/memoranda of understanding and, yes, consignment letters. There are also letters of reference from banks, to prove the business isn't on the verge of bankruptcy; from accountants, to prove the business is meeting its payment schedules; and from lawyers, to prove the business isn't constantly being sued.
In light of this, I think a contract and consignment sheet are the least a gallery can do, especially in light of the horror stories you mentioned of artists getting back fewer works than they left with the gallery--you just know the gallery sold those missing works and pocketed all the money.
I once read a story about a DC artist who gave 150 paintings to a gallery on a handshake and later wanted some of them back to do a show, only to be told by the gallerist that she didn't know what he was talking about. When he took her to court, she told the judge that the artist had given her the paintings as a birthday present. And the judge believed her. (See above for how legitimate businesses use paperwork to protect themselves.)
Here's something from Warhol: "Nobody's out there writing you checks."
Believe it. And get everything in writing.
Thanks a lot for this information…
I will be doing presentation in 5 day time and I will need more of this information… please any way to contact you?