“The best art is the most expensive because the market is so smart,” said Tobias Meyer, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art in 2007. True statement? Or will it prove false when Urban Shaman: Contemporary Aboriginal Art Gallery hosts its 50-500 exhibition and sale this week?
The name 50-500 refers to the fact that all the work in the exhibition is for sale, priced for as little as 50 cents up to a limit of $500. Work is being sold on a first-come first-serve basis, beginning at the opening reception on Friday, Nov. 27. The gallery has already received several submissions and program director Niki Little said that they are continually receiving more, as the deadline fast approaches. The artwork isn’t all coming from Winnipeg-based artists, either. Little commented, “Just this morning we received a large screen print in the post from Ontario, which I think is fantastic.”
Urban Shaman gallery artists can submit up to four pieces of original artwork to the show. Last year, the show had 94 pieces from 42 different artists. The majority of the works available for sale were two-dimensional renderings, including painting, photography, silk screen, printmaking, mixed media and drawing. There was also a small selection of sculptural works available.
What makes the 50-500 show even more unique is that participating artists retain 100 percent of the profits of sale, something that is incredibly rare, especially in commercial spaces where a portion of sales always goes to the gallery or a dealer. This, of course, speaks to the artist-centred ethos behind the gallery. Indeed, Urban Shaman is an artist-run gallery committed to showcasing Aboriginal talent, as well as helping artists at various stages in their careers.
“For the artist, specifically, they benefit through the exposure of a four-week exhibition run, potential for future collaborations with other artist included in the show, some extra change in their pocket, and a great party with fun people,” Little said.
The gallery also takes care of the financial transactions of the purchases, so that the notoriously fiscally-impaired artist can sit back and receive a cheque in the mail. As Little said, “Who doesn’t like that?”
Little also believes that shows like this are incredibly important, not only for the Aboriginal artists that the gallery fosters, but also the broader Winnipeg arts community.
In terms of the larger arts community, Little said “I think that this type of activity reveals how special and supportive our arts community really is. For example, we are not the only gallery in the city providing this platform for our members; Aceart Inc. is also having a similar exhibition entitled Winter Warmers [ . . . ]. Events like this only reinforce the aspect of collaboration and community within the Winnipeg arts scene.”
Finally, even though Urban Shaman is “an organization [ . . . ] dedicated to the Aboriginal arts community,” Little emphasizes that you do not need to be Aboriginal to be a member of the gallery. Indeed, membership is open to everyone. As is the invitation to come down to the 50-500 show and purchase art at a reasonable cost, all while directly supporting local artists.
50-500 runs from: Nov. 27 through Dec. 19 at Urban Shaman. Winter Warmer opens on Nov. 28 and runs until Dec. 11 at Aceart Inc.
