Say What?
The art world has a language problem. Walk into a gallery, open an artist's website, or sit in a meeting with a curator and you'll hear words thrown around like everyone already knows what they mean.
Spoiler Alert!! Most people don't. I've been there Googling words under the table mid-conversation so I didn't look like I didn't belong. So here's the glossary I wish someone had handed me at the door.
A - Advisor A professional who provides guidance to private collectors, investors and institutions on building and managing art collections.
A - Artist Representative A person who manages an artist's work, career and opportunities; handling the negotiations, the relationships, the logistics, so the artist can focus on creating.
A - Artist Statement A written explanation of an artist's practice (why they make what they make, what themes they explore, and why it matters). Usually 200–300 words.
B - Bio A short written summary of who an artist is. Comes in two versions: short (50 words, for press and socials) and long (150 words, for galleries and websites).
B - Blurb The one-liner. A single sentence that sums up an artist's work, used on flyers, captions and quick introductions.
B - Buyers Individuals or organisations that purchase artworks. Not to be confused with collectors, buyers may purchase work without building a long-term collection.
C - Collectors People who actively acquire and maintain collections of artwork over time. Collecting is intentional, there's usually a vision or a genuine passion behind it.
C - Collection of Works A curated selection of artworks created by an artist, not just everything they've ever made, but a considered body of work.
C - Commission (gallery) The percentage of a sale that a gallery takes when they sell an artist's work. Standard range is 40–50%.
C - Commission (artwork) When a buyer pays an artist to create a specific new piece made to their brief.
C - Curator A specialist who organises and presents artworks in exhibitions or collections. They decide what's shown, how it's arranged, and what story the work tells together.
E - Edition A set number of prints or reproductions of an original work. Limited editions are numbered and signed. Open editions have no set limit.
E - Exhibit To publicly display artwork; in a gallery, a pop-up, an institution, or anywhere else.
G - Gallery A space for the display and/or sale of artworks. Galleries range from major commercial spaces to small independent rooms, each with its own identity and audience.
G - Group Show An exhibition featuring the work of multiple artists at the same time. A great starting point for emerging artists.
H - Handling The process of safely moving, preparing or installing artworks. Done badly, it damages work and credibility.
L - Lite Portfolio A simplified selection of artworks, usually 5 of your strongest pieces for quick viewing. Perfect for emails, DMs or submissions with tight upload limits.
M - Medium The material or technique used to create an artwork. Acrylic paint, oil, watercolour, sculpture, photography are all examples of medium.
M - Mount A flat border of card or paper that surrounds a picture within a frame. It gives the work visual breathing room and a more finished presentation.
O - Open Calls A public invitation for artists to submit work for exhibitions, residencies or other opportunities.
O - Open Studios Events where artists invite the public into their studio to view or purchase artwork directly.
P - Portfolio A curated collection of an artist's work, used to showcase to galleries, curators and buyers. Think of it as your shop window.
P - Private View An invitation-only event held before a public exhibition opens, typically for press, collectors and industry contacts. Also called a preview or opening night.
R - Residency A programme that provides artists with time, space and resources to develop their work, often in a new location or context.
S - Submissions Artwork proposals sent in response to open calls or exhibition opportunities.
T - Title The name given to a piece of artwork. Always include it when listing or presenting work, alongside medium, size and year.
Y - Year The date when an artwork was completed. Always include this, it places the work in the context of an artist's practice and development.
Is something's missing? Drop me a line and I'll add it.
If you found this useful, share it with an artist or collector who needs it. The more people who feel confident in this space, the better for all of us.
Gee x