Research the gallery, find out who is the director, and write a letter of introduction with details about your website, if you have one, and include a CD, though these days I think it’s preferable to send some good quality photographs as well.
A short biography and an artist statement is a must. Be prepared to only hear back from 1 out of 10 galleries that you approach. Not everyone will connect with your work, and many galleries are fully committed for twelve months at a time. Don’t show all of your work to the gallery director. Show your best most recent work, preferably in clusters or series.
The presentation of your work can persuade or dissuade a gallery from taking you on. Be articulate, brief and clear about your work. Do not be rushed, take your time without being laborious or redundant.
The best way to talk about your art is to start with the elements that you are most clear on. It’s really important not to waffle when you talk about art in general and particularly when addressing your own work. It’s most effective to directly respond to the questions being asked. If I’m not comfortable about the direction a particular conversation is going I change it.
Express your enthusiasm but prevent yourself from rambling on to avoid losing their interest. Be aware of who is listening to you and their level of interest as you speak.
Whether you are speaking to gallery directors, clients or friends, at some point the topic of artistic influences will arise. I think it’s important to be honest when you’re talking about your work, and if there are artists who have influenced you it’s good to acknowledge it.
There is no need to turn the subject away from your own work, however, particularly if the other artists who have influenced you are contemporaries. This can have the effect of dampening the conversation about your own work.
I have had many influences, sometimes directly sometimes indirectly. But I never focus this as a major element in my work. I feel that I have always followed my own momentum and that my body of work is not a derivative of someone else’s.
