Valuing Art: The True Cost of Creation and Exhibition

I was offered £900 for this artwork, and I actually refused that. So let me tell you why. To give you some context, this artwork was exhibit at the exhibition in London, and my original price for it was £2,000. And the reason for it is because number one, the gallery takes 50% off. So take that off the price.

The second, this frame was custom made, is customly made frame with an UV Protection, non reflective glass. So that’s quite expensive as well. This sort of hour is very unique. It’s very hard to come across this sort of images in vintage. It is my staple in my collection. It’s very unique and it’s just very rare that I will ever do this sort of thing ever again. So bear that in mind.

The fourth reason is this, how it was shortlisted for the summer exhibition as well, which does increase its value. If I was to sell it for £900, having in mind all the time and effort that I have put into making this spaces, the time and effort finding these spaces, making it so, and then exhibiting it, framing it and everything else. I literally wouldn’t make any money. So next time you ask an artist to reduce the price, please be sensible and have all these things in mind. Because paying an artist is actually expensive. And we don’t have to pay bills.