Walter Robinson is an art critic and painter who writes a column for Artspace. He was a contributor to Art in America from 1980-1996 and the founding editor of Artnet Magazine from 1996-2012. I particularly like his most recent column on studio visits.
"I wasn't expecting anything in particular—they were old friends who were just dropping by, after all—so I was amused at their reaction. The first thing the senior member of the pair did was to look around and say, "Hmmm, let me think, who would be good for you?" In other words, some gallery other than theirs.
Now, an artist in such a situation wants unqualified praise, naturally enough. But an art dealer must navigate with more care—because sometimes a mere smile can be mistaken as a promise. Practiced hands at the studio-visit business, these two knew how to put the hard truth out there right away, with as much grace as an artist might expect."
I've only had a few studio visits—to select work for an exhibition—and they were more comfortable than expected. Or maybe I was too tired from cleaning to not take it in stride.
SEE HERE: WHAT ARTISTS REALLY THINK OF STUDIO VISITS by Walter Robinson at Artspace
The Life and Times of Walter Robinson at Gallerist NY
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