London Centre for Book Arts: a case study
Simon Goode is an artist who set up his own centre and workshop dedicated to book arts in 2012. Here he charts the journey of the London Centre for Book Arts, concentrating…
Are you licensing your work for free if you upload it on social media sites?
Many of us overlook reading the terms of service in relation to the social media outlets we use, and yet this is what determines our…
Who is liable for insurance for artwork kept on consignment?
A shop or gallery would always be legally responsible for taking good care of works it received on consignment from artists, and should make careful arrangements accordingly. When the shop/gallery…
Death of an Artist
Artistic legacies emerged as a theme in art news reports towards the end of 2013. For example, UK courts ruled that drawings sold as Francis Bacons were inauthentic, and US court documents revealed that 35 paintings…
Michael McManus: private commissions
Painter Michael McManus writes about his experiences undertaking his first private commissions. Michael was a LIFEBOAT residency awardee in 2012 During the Lifeboat residency commissions helped me support my practice. They also provided me with an…
Tom Sowden: on book arts
This article concentrates on artists books that have a physical form. Here the term artists books means books conceived as an art object. In the following paragraphs I’ll look at ways in which you can…
Material Ephemerality
Works made from short life materials used by modern and contemporary artists increasingly pose problems and challenges for those who handle or possess works: collectors, estates and foundations, conservators and restorers, curators and consignees, storers and transporters; and…
Selling artists’ moving image
This article addresses important points to consider when selling artists’ moving image. It was written by artist and film maker Stuart Croft (1970 – 2015). How do artists sell film & video work? To overcome the…
Fair Use?
‘Copyright protection finds its justification in fair play. A person works and produces something. The product of his skill and labour ought to belong to him … It has long been recognised that only the original author ought…
If my gallery is based abroad who will decide in case of a dispute?
In the case of two parties located in different countries – say the artist in England and a gallery in the USA – a vital term…
Is there a definite ruling on what constitutes an edition?
There isn’t a legal definition of what makes an edition. Instead, an edition may be limited by contract (which can be verbal) and by making representations. So, for example, if…
Why are Artists Poor?
Borrowing the title of Hans Abbing’s important sociological interrogation of contemporary art practice from 2007, let us consider a case in point. A young unknown artist relocated 30 odd kilometres north of his hometown to a…
Consignment: Trust
The term commonly used to describe the contractual relationship between artists supplying their works to galleries for exhibition and possible sale is ‘consignment’. In business and legal terms, consignment does not mean selling work to a gallery, rather…
Renting Art: Borrowers and Lenders Beware
Borrowing and lending art is generally a good thing. The practice can increase and broaden access by spectators who might not otherwise be able to experience directly the creative act. It can also generate…
Pensions for self-employed people
Kay Linnell and Nick Wilson of Accounts Action Ltd shed some light on the different pension options available. There are many different pension scheme variants, but they fall into two main categories – Defined Benefits and…
Studios, pensions and tax
Buying your own studio is the dream of many artists. Kay Linnell and Nick Wilson from Accounts Action Ltd explains how to do so in the most tax efficient way. The most tax efficient way of…
Working as an artist’s assistant
Many established artists employ assistants. This can be a good way for artists to earn money, develop skills and learn about the art world. Here, painter Michael McManus talks about working as an artist’s assistant.…
First steps for new artists
Audio guides for new artists, including new graduates, on studios, promotion, networks and exhibitions Maintaining a career as an artist can be a complex. It takes a lot more than making good work. If you’re a…