I've been to thousands of exhibitions across hundreds of galleries, and over time, I've grown desensitised to being treated like I'm invisible or being watched like I might slip a 3x4 meter painting into my purse and bolt. But what I recently experienced was, without question, a masterpiece in shitty treatment.
When I vented to my friend, they said, “Drop it. It's not worth it. You don't know whose children they are.” Apparently, collectors get treated just as poorly, but on a whole other level. They're not just dismissed by the front desk staff; they’re actively lied to, ignored, ghosted on emails, and treated like they don’t exist.
But why should I tolerate being looked at with disgust? Frieze No.9 Cork Street gallery seems to have pioneered the art of putting young, blasé staff at the front desk who exude boredom and disdain. And because the space near the entrance is so small, you get an up-close view of exactly how much they don't care.
It honestly makes me wonder if they go through some special training: “How to be the lowest-paid person in the art world while looking at visitors like they’re beneath you.” Why does the art world HAVE to be like this? You’re surrounded by art—something that’s supposed to be pure, inspiring—and yet people still choose to act like assholes. Or maybe they’re just assholes, and art doesn’t change that. Is this behavior a byproduct of the rampant consumerism infecting the art world? Because, let's face it, these blue-chip galleries often sell luxury, not art. They decide who's worthy of buying, and if you're not in their top five VIP list, you're less than nothing. Like come on! You're basically a shop. Even the Louis Vuitton employees down the street are nicer.
I just can't drop it. I felt like I needed to write about it because, even if this treatment is “normal,” why should we agree to it? I know I’m at the bottom of the art world’s food chain, and those at the top could crush my career in an instant. But no they deserve to be treated like this—least of all the collectors who help these galleries survive by actually buying the art.
It’s wild to think how front desk staff can ruin what would otherwise be a wonderful experience. (There are two great shows there, by the way.) But instead, I walked away absolutely hating the whole thing. It made me wonder if this is just another calculated move in the blue-chip gallery playbook:
1. Tell collectors there's a long waiting list.
2. Put upset kids at the front desk.
3. Treat everyone like air—or worse, with utter contempt.
So to the artists out there: I get it. Being represented by a major gallery is the dream. But before you set your sights on being “discovered,” go see how those galleries treat their visitors. Pay attention to how the gallerists talk about their artists at private views. You might be shocked at the sheer lack of respect they have for anyone.
It's time we stop pretending this behaviour is acceptable. However, I still have to think of what I will say to these kids next time.
Comments