The Versatile Master Artist

Anna sipped her coffee and gave her opinion.

”Of course, the gallery business is all about making that money. Do you think everyone is like Hirst, able to negotiate with their own gallery?”

Aurora flashed a cunning Grandet-like smile: ”If a painter I signed got into something like this and I couldn’t squeeze any money out of her, I’d be ashamed of myself.”

”Anyway, girl, small money isn’t worth it, and big money won’t get away.”

”So how can this be avoided?” Anna was only concerned about this matter.

”The best way is to be clear with the gallery... If you think her work is good enough, or just let her sign with our gallery? I can forgo her illustration rights, I trust your judgment, Anna, signing such an artist surely won’t be a loss.”

Aurora suggested.

Anna smiled.

That was one option.

She couldn’t recommend Detective Cat to Gagosian, but she could recommend her to Aurora’s gallery.

However, Aurora’s gallery was just an independent city gallery, with assets of only a few million Swiss francs, and its promotion resources were not as good as the Xiaosong Family Art Gallery.

If Lady Detective Cat could really sign with an Intercontinental Gallery.

The latter would offer a bigger stage and better exposure resources.

”Is it possible to completely create an anonymous illustrator identity and not let the gallery owner know about this?” Anna asked.

”Well, I knew Miss Elina wouldn’t fancy our humble little workshop.” Aurora sighed in a mock-serious manner.

She wasn’t curious about the illustrator’s request.

After 2010, being an anonymous illustrator became trendy.

The public loved the mysterious allure.

KAWS didn’t use their real name nor the name KAWS; those four letters were the alias they picked during their rise on Instagram.

The anonymous illustrators in the blockchain NFT virtual digital collectibles exchange were too numerous to count.

”In that case, let me think of a way for you.”

-----------------

Gu Weijing later received an email from Mr. Tree Sloth in his inbox.

[Lady Detective Cat:

Based on your request, I consulted with professionals.

If you want to separate the virtual identity of ”Detective Cat” from the gallery’s contracted artist system, a more foolproof way is for you to clearly state the following terms in your contract.

”It is hereby noted, that works of art, online accounts, virtual IPs and related intellectual property owned by the artist as of March 6, 2017, are solely owned by the artist. Furthermore, all future anonymous creative works and any business actions based on this, not utilizing gallery promotional channels, shall be independent of the gallery, with all rights and responsibilities belonging to the artist—”

In addition to this statement clause, there are several key points and specifics to watch out for when signing a contract. I’ve compiled all of them for you, noted in a Word document appendix attached to this email.

I understand this may not align with your hope of not drawing extra attention from the gallery.

But sometimes in life, there isn’t an optimal solution; you just have to choose the most advantageous option available. To avoid potential future troubles, I highly recommend you include this clause in your contract.

Moreover,

A 15-year contract is really too long, I suggest you might make concessions on the terms of division and stipend to gain more contractual room.

A shorter contract means more room for choices, signing a contract of less than ten years is a suitable choice.

I believe you possess talents that will amaze the art world and collectors.

Your first contract should just be a stepping stone for Detective Cat, not a lifelong reliance. If you can negotiate a short contract of around three years, even if you only get 10% or 5% of the revenue in exchange for the big gallery’s resources, it’s not an unacceptable deal.

Good luck with your contract negotiation!

Your forever friend, Mr. Tree Sloth]

[P.S –– If the negotiation doesn’t go smoothly, I have a good personal friendship with a city gallery in Switzerland, although it’s not an Intercontinental Gallery, it should be willing to offer you an agreeable contract. This might be worth considering as your Plan B.]

”As expected, signing directly isn’t a good idea, Mr. Tree Sloth is reliable.”

Gu Weijing read the email twice from start to finish, and after seeing all the densely packed reminders from Mr. Tree Sloth about the contract in the attachment.

He realized he had taken things for granted before.

Gu Weijing sent a thank you message to Mr. Tree Sloth from his phone.

”Hmm, it looks like I need to have a good talk with Hanks.”

Though it wasn’t quite what he imagined, knowing where the pitfalls were was definitely better than foolishly signing right away.

”Should I directly propose my requirements to the gallery and see if they can agree, or should I discuss it with Mrs. Sakai first?”

Gu Weijing pondered for a moment.

He felt he had a better idea.

There was a truly powerful backing, one whose leg hair was thicker than his waist, just waiting for him to cling to.

In the art field, his greatest support wasn’t Mr. Tree Sloth, nor Mrs. Sakai but—

Mr. Cao Xuan.