Disclaimers
An artist recently raised an important question about leaving work with a gallery who had insisted on disclaiming liability for taking care of the work whilst in their possession. You say you never compromise With the mystery tramp but…
What health and safety considerations are there?
Health and safety issues are often dealt with in a separate document called ‘the tenant’s handbook’. Make sure you receive a copy of this and that any issues not addressed in your lease…
Art and Money
Warhol's US dollar bills were sold for more than their denominational value; and Duchamp paid his dentist's bill by drawing a 400F note which was accepted in payment. What do you think of the new £5 note?…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…