I made a post about some of these points the other day, but I am trying to move from having gallery shows, to selling on the internet.
It might be my bad luck, it may well be that my personality is a difficult match-up to many galleries.
I have been doing this for more than twenty years in this adult iteration, but I also had gallery representation as a teenager. In fact I sold most everything I exhibited as a fourteen year old. (Blue Marble Gallery, in Buderim Queensland and later in Mudjimba) (I think I have spelt that one wrong, but have so many tabs open, that I fear asking google.)
And I worked hanging the the shows in the well known Michael Milbourne Gallery, in New Farm (may he rest in peace), for a few years when I was trying to get going as an artist again after my early adulthood lost to the art world phase.
And yet Michael had two group shows of up and coming talent in my time with him (I hung them both) and didn't think to include me.
(and in case you were wondering I did bring up the subject with him, but Michael was a very special man, and so that could happen with no visible result.)
And I have one gallery that may or may not represent me. He does when it suits and when I make all the efforts and spend all the money.
And because he invests little he seems to work little on a return on investment, and after one solo show, (in the small space) and three group shows, he has sold a grand total of one work, and I sold that to his friend at the opening of my show.
The other gallery that I pinned my hopes on, has only given me one group show, and had my work on hand at the gallery since. (until recently, when they very courteously asked if I could pick it up, citing space problems.)
They took my work to two art fairs, but had my work hidden away, and I seriously doubt that he showed it to more than a few possible collectors. I mean that's his prerogative, but since I helped set up the stand and all, I was a bit miffed. But I am used to that too.
Now I'm adult enough to recognise that there is something in myself which creates this, or maybe, my art sucks.
But just my two cents worth.
Anyhow, thanks for the informative post. I might try and write a post about all that, explaining that a bit better, 'cause I am sure I have come across as some sort of whinger, which I certainly am not. Just wanted to point out that not all galleries are saints, as I am sure you know. I am sure that the enormous majority of artists are very unprofessional in every part of their practise.
I sure ain't perfect.
big hugs
meep