More art is being produced and sold than ever before, at ever higher prices
The interesting metric in this relationship is the amount of money that actually goes to the artist.A recognized artist at a mid-high level gallery is usually promised a show approx. every 18 months. Average earnings for such a show is commonly expected to be around $100.000, (10-15 works each selling for between $5.000 and $10.000).That would be a decent amount of money for that time but here comes the crux; the gallery takes 50%.This leaves the artist with an income of $50.000 before taxes. Say you live in Sweden, where you have to tax nearly 50% for sales in a private company that leaves you with $25.000 every 18 months in disposable income, hardly something you can get a flat in Stockholm for.What's even worse is that if you are tied to a gallery you are most commonly prohibited to sell privately or show with other galleries.