Corporate art collections
There can be some good opportunities for artists to sell or rent their work to corporations. Why have your work in a corporate setting? Work in a corporate collection gives an artist exposure to a wealthy sector…
Privacy
What if I want to include information about other people in my artwork? What if I want to use an image of a celebrity in my work? If I use a pseudonym for my art can I sign documents…
The State of Play
Heard any good myths lately? Try these for size. ‘I thought Henry Lydiate was a middle aged rich solicitor, with a plush office in the Strand, who makes lots of money out of artists.’ or: ‘Why…
The ACME of Artlaw
The general public does not generally think of the law as a creative tool but rather as something to be avoided at all costs – except perhaps when buying residential property or making a will. In…
Importance of contracts in commissions
Projects for public spaces can involve so many different partners. This makes contracts vital, for artist and commissioner. A contract is what both the artist and the commissioner agree that you as the artist will deliver. You…
Play with Fire
The typewriter ribbon had the grace to hold out until I entered the last full stop on my overdue column for Art Occasionally. It was 4 a.m. I snapped off the desk light and realised the resulting…
Artlaw History
In November 2009 Artquest’s online practical information, advice and support service for visual artists and craftspeople was overhauled and improved. It included a major restructuring of the Artlaw Archive of articles published in Art Monthly from its first…
Welfare in the State of Art
Debates in the House of Lords are renowned for their quality but not necessarily for packing a punch sufficient to hit the Government into action. However, with the new Minister for the Arts operating…
Cell Block
Dear Prisoner 035178 You will have wondered why you failed to receive your April copy of Art Monthly (#235), which was posted to you as usual last month. It was received at the prison on April 20, but…
Power Plays: Chimes of Freedom
The attempted censorship of the Power Plays exhibition at the Ferens Art Gallery by Hull City Council in October raises issues of the greatest importance. An explanation of its legal facets will enable us to…
Partnership
Unlike a limited company, a partnership has no legal existence distinct from the partners themselves. If one of the partners resigns, dies or goes bankrupt, the partnership must be dissolved – although the business can still continue. A partnership…
Co-operative
This is a popular structure for community groups, as it shares the responsibility of running the group between members who all have equal rights and shares in the organisation. A co operative is defined by constitution, and may allow…
The Right to Destroy Artwork
Michael Landy’s Break Down installation on London’s Oxford Street opened to the public for two weeks in February 2001, and made national broadcast news headlines following the press view. The work was commissioned by The…
Postmodern Artwork
Just like the proverbial long wait at the bus stop and then three buses come along at once, there has been a bumper crop of recent illuminating copyright lawsuits involving works by artists as diverse as Richard Prince,…
Soul Trading
The classic ‘who, where and how’ of marketing, to which Nich Pearson implicitly referred last month (Art Monthly No 95, p.9) when bemoaning the absence of vigorous professional marketing in the visual arts in recent years, inspired serious…
Copyright and Moral rights: New legislation (part 1)
In May or June 1989, visual artists’ and craftspeoples’ rights will be substantially improved when the new Copyright Designs and Patents Act of 1988 comes into force. Key changes anticipated were signposted…
Art & Copyright
Most UK lawyers know little about intellectual property law, because it has never been a compulsory subject for professional qualification. Simon Stokes, Art & Copyright, Hart Publishing, Oxford and Portland, Oregon, 2001, 184pp, £25.00, 1 84113 225…
Wapping Blues
If your memory serves you well, You’ll remember you’re the one That called on me to call on them To get your favours done. And after every plan had failed And there was nothing more to tell, You…