Vincent von Gogh

The business of art is the art of business.




I wouldn’t want other people to make a decision for me.



Are you hard-selling me this product?



This is a gallery; can you give me some space?



These are often the remarks made by customers who are actually put off by the staff in an art gallery.

Some of the staffs at a gallery have taken the hard-selling approach by questioning the rationale of the existence of the customers in the gallery. They have the propensity to sell these pieces of art like how they would art a supermarket. It seems a bit insulting and taunting to question those that are there for the exhibition because everyone is there to appreciate the art.

It is really intricate and ambiguous when it comes to the purchase of art as far as I am concern. Even if I went forward to the gallery with the intention to purchase, I might not settle for a purchase if I am not really impressed with the art or the salesperson.



In the world of art, it is really about the whole package, not just the art. It includes the ambience, the people, the surroundings, the sales team and the presentation. You really have to sniff these interested buyers out amidst the sea of viewers.

The precision of timing is of paramount importance as well. You should not go in too early or too late, rather, you should go in just at the right timing where they are ruminating.



Then again, when you move in, you should listen to understand, not question their desire for it or telling them about your opinions. I suppose they just need a pair of listening ears and further reinforcements when it comes to the purchase of art.



It is not a fad or an iPod product, which people purchase to keep up with the trend. To me, it is something personal, something that is esoteric to you, relatable to you in your own ways. The role of the staff is to listen and then understand why this piece of art is so personal and importance to the potential buyer.

Once you understand that, I surmise that the potential buyer will open up and tell you his or her story. That is when you can creep in and sell the piece of art surreptitiously without him knowing that it is a business deal at all.

Credits -photo.eos, -artrenewal.org, -southwindsgames, -samcooks