I really enjoy discussing my 30-year experience of being in the gallery world, specifically on where we are now and where we might be going as artists and art world professionals. My industry has been slow to change in many ways. I attribute this to gallery owners who have been doing what they’ve been doing for years and have been reluctant to make adjustments to the way they practice business.
Most of the change that does happen (eventually) comes from the advent of technology that better enables us (galleries) to communicate to their clients (existing and potential). Not long ago…whoever heard of a virtual art fair? Artsy? Click ‘n Buy? NFT? Artist or gallerist, we must adapt. I see this mostly with our communication channels and marketing. How we let the world know we exist!
But, some things haven’t changed for me.
In 2015, my friend Theresa Ortolani was an MFA candidate in the ICP/Bard program. She asked me to write something with the loose topic of going for your MFA as a visual artist.
I reread this short essay/interview this morning. The foundation of essentials on being and becoming an artist hasn’t changed for me. It’s a process where shortcuts need to be avoided.
Instead of writing something new for you today, take a moment to visit:
In Pursuit of an MFA: Hangin’ with Foley
We also needed a new bio picture for the piece, which I willingly agreed to. The result is above (with more photos in the article).
It certainly would have been easier to pull off in post as a composite, but where’s the fun in that?!
Last Call
It’s always a gamble to enter competitions, and I am not a massive fan of calls for entries with an application fee. But, if you are so inclined:
The deadline for submissions for the Hopper Prize is less than two weeks away. Take a look at the prospectus and see if this might be for you. The competition is open to all media.
Michael Foley opened his gallery in the fall of 2004 after fourteen years of working with notable photography galleries, including Fraenkel Gallery, Howard Greenberg Gallery, and Yancey Richardson Gallery.
In 2002, Foley continued his interest in educating and working with artists by serving on the School of Visual Arts and International Center of Photography faculty. He currently teaches and lectures on contemporary photography issues at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
In 2020, he founded The Photo Community, which offers classes and commentary on contemporary photography.
Foley lives and works on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.