"Before art dealers entered the scene in the 19th century, artists would mostly sell their work to patrons without the aid of a middleman. Michelangelo spoke to his small but powerful group of patrons directly, while Rembrandt organised his own commissions and sold his art from a "shop" next to his studio. Today, as the art market's power dynamics continue to evolve, an increasing number of artists are once again taking a more independent approach to the making, marketing and selling of their art."
"Damien Hirst famously broke the mould back in 2008 when he sold more than 200 new pieces straight from the studio at Sotheby's. Bypassing his dealers (and their 50% cut), the auction racked up £111.4m over two days-all while Lehman Brothers went bust. Banksy, too, was an early proponent, setting up Pest Control in 2008 to regain strict ownership of his sales."
Artists originally sold directly to patrons before 19th-century dealers introduced middlemen, with figures like Michelangelo and Rembrandt managing commissions and sales themselves. Contemporary artists are increasingly reclaiming control over production, promotion and distribution. Damien Hirst bypassed dealers in 2008, selling over 200 works directly from his studio and generating £111.4m at auction. Banksy established Pest Control to control sales and ownership. Established practitioners such as Marina Abramović and Peter Doig are operating beyond traditional gallery representation, using festivals, brand partnerships and foundations to mount projects. Emerging and mid-career artists are also pursuing independent paths to avoid gallery constraints and capture greater financial and promotional agency.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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