What do galleries look for when reviewing works?

[A2a Editor]

What do you think is the number one artist strength curators/judges look for when reviewing works submitted for exhibition?

- A Strong Design
- Fresh Vision
- Strong Focus / Idea
- Strong Composition
- Use of Color
- Harmony & Cohesiveness
- Passion & Inspiration
- Understanding of the medium
- Related to Competition Theme

Let us know what you think?

[Alison Galvan]

Good God I hope it's not only the Quality of the Side and Image!!!

[Michael Lownie]

We were just discussing this in the Crit group;
Excuse my cut and paste but I think even the thoughts on Kimberly's work might add to the context.
"
Hi there Kimberly,
Competitions can be tricky in that each juror brings with them some personal preferences. That's what I've found...although my work is abstract and I'm in a completely different category than your realism, I've seen he works chosen for shows I applied for and really...there was some weak stuff chosen because of a narrow element, such as whimsical style or wild colors...I really don't think all judges are very objective. Some may prefer a looser style, more spontaneous, while others will appreciate realistic renderings.

I look at your works with what I hope is an objective eye to show what one may look for in a successful work; The bird painting has the most personality for me; the gesture of the composition really pulls you in with it's liveliness. For me, that's the work I would want to put in a show.

The deer has nice points, the softness of rendering and the warmth of the background is just lovely, but it's more of a straight forward "portrait", which doesn't seem to have the compositional excitement of of the bird. The cougar, um, to me, something seems off in the shape of his head and I find the composition awkward. That said, there are no doubt some personal biases in me as I've accused others of having. Can we really get away from that? I don't know...I do think it's good if you're not sure to ask for feedback but in the end, there's probably a "professional" way to go about knowing better what to submit;

It was mentioned to me, and I think it's good advice, to find out a little about the jurors of any show you are submitting to. You'll be able to see what they tend to lean toward, and how they think, if you can see works they like. If you feel really strong about a particular piece and just want to enter it because of the personal strength you feel for it, I'd say still go for it and submit what you want. The more you apply for the better chance of getting in a few shows, but at the same time, you don't want to spin your wheels without some kind of focus, such as, how tightly your work fits the theme of a show, and how your approach or style fits the jurors' taste.

Anyway, I ramble; hope there's a seed of wisdom that makes sense in there.
:)
"

[Linda Horvitz Post]

Who you know. What collections you are in. Who knows?

[Karleen Loughran]

I think it is work that has something unique about it and that communicates some deeper meaning.

[Christine Zachary]

I would hope that would be the case, but my sense is that most galleries most important value is "what sells."  This means that even if an artist can communicate a deeper meaning and offer something unique, they might not yet be a proven seller. 

  I think you must factor into this the sad disconnect between the marriage of art and commerce.   

Granted, there are probably some gallery owners who immediately decide a new artist never before shown is a good risk, but as a business person, a gallery owner wants some assurance that when they put your work out for sale that there will be buyers to help pay their rent and expenses.

Gallery=business

Artist=art

and really dedicated artists must find their way between their personal vision and the demands of galleries.

[Jim Shirey]

this is off-point, but here goes:  i would like to establish a portfolio, upload artwork and delete artwork that i have uploaded in the past.  but i'm getting nowhere.  is there anywhere i can get tech support?  i know this is the wrong forum to raise this issue, but i cannot find a "right" one!  tia, jim

[Pat Borow]

This may seem cynical (and is) but, if a judge is also an artist -- and most are -- I'll try to find that artist's web page or other examples of their work and submit what is most similar in mine.