Our co-Director, Anna, recently appeared as a guest on the Creative Kind Podcast and as the topic of how artists might best approach galleries for representation was discussed, we’ve compiled a helpful guide for artists interested in representation at Parnell Gallery.
Every gallery is different in their approach to submissions, and so we invite you to listen to the episode for further understanding of our individual process and preferences.
Links: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
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We welcome submissions from emerging and established artists for representation at Parnell Gallery. To submit your work please email submissions@parnellgallery.co.nz with the following information.
- Examples of recent work along with titles, dimensions, medium, and pricing. Try to send good quality images that aren’t too high in file size.
- A link to your website, Instagram and/or Facebook (if you have any of these and they are a good representation of your work)
- Please indicate if you are currently represented by another gallery and if so, include the name of the gallery. It can also be helpful to know if you have been previously been represented by any galleries.
- An artist profile or brief bio that includes some information about your art career to date.
- Your contact details, including your phone number and email address, and in which city you are currently based.
We appreciate that submitting your portfolio for consideration can feel a little daunting for some, and so our goal is to make the process as approachable as possible. Your interest in the gallery, and willingness to share your work with us is appreciated. We look forward to viewing your work.
In the following sections, we provide our top tips for putting your best foot forward and offer insights to help you determine whether Parnell Gallery is the right fit for you and your work.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the email address above. We’ll do our best to respond promptly.
- Initial Contact via Email
When you’re ready to submit work for consideration at Parnell Gallery, we recommend starting with an email. Consider including recent examples of your work, a brief bio, and key details like titles, medium, dimensions, and pricing. We’re most interested in getting a sense of your technique and subject matter, so don’t sweat it crafting the perfect bio—just focus on showcasing your work and providing relevant information you feel will support the work.
- Our Process
You might be tempted to pack up a few artworks and visit the gallery for a surprise presentation, however unscheduled visits can be challenging for our team, and there is no guarantee the people you are wanting to speak with will be available to meet with you during your visit. We are often busy with clients, artists, or behind-the-scenes tasks, so email is our preferred method as it allows us to carefully consider your submission, rather than feel a bit ‘on the spot’ and hurried. Our review process is thorough, involving team discussions and research, so please do give us time to thoughtfully evaluate your work with the time it deserves.
- Timing and Artistic Identity
It’s less about hitting certain career milestones and more about the quality and consistency of your work. Whether you’re early in your career or have been selling privately for years, what matters is showing a cohesive artistic identity. Spend some time selecting works that show you have refined your voice and are clear on who you are as an artist.
- Finding the Right Fit
We suggest researching Parnell Gallery before submitting your work. Visiting in person to enjoy works on view or exploring our represented artists online will help you get a sense of whether we might be the right fit for you and your work. We focus on contemporary New Zealand work, and fit is essential to get the best results. When our artists are successful, so are we. It’s very important to know that if your work is declined by one gallery it’s not always a reflection on the quality of the work, it genuinely may not be the right fit. What might not be quite the right fit for one gallery could be the perfect fit for another – don’t lose heart!
- Quality and Originality
When we consider new artists, we look for well-executed work with a strong creative element. Your pieces should be able to stand out while maintaining the high quality expected of professional artists. Additionally, we are very careful to avoid conflicts with our existing artists, so it’s important that your work doesn’t too closely resemble what we already represent.
- Building Lasting Relationships
Our goal is to establish long-term and rewarding relationships with the artists we represent. We look for artists whose work resonates with us and fits the gallery’s vision, and who we can support throughout their career. Taking a considered approach will help foster this partnership, ensuring that it’s the right match for both you and the gallery.
All submissions need to be sent to our dedicated email address: submissions@parnellgallery.co.nz.