Anaïd Demir
Key points:
An artist portfolio should be structured and clearly presented.
Setting the price of a work must be considered and consistent with the market.
Good online visibility requires a selection of outstanding works.
Being very descriptive in the presentation of the works is essential to capture the interest of the public.
Art critic, author, and curator Anaïd Demir shares her expertise with emerging artists. With over 30 years of experience in the contemporary art world, she offers valuable advice on presenting an art portfolio , pricing artwork , and promoting your work online .
This precious testimony was filmed in the heart of the Fiminco Foundation in Romainville, as part of the exhibition La Logique des lieux (April 25 – May 23, 2024), bringing together the artists in residence. A huge thank you to Katharina Scriba , director of the Foundation, to Renata Bellanova , residency coordinator, and to Jennifer Flay , who initiated this meeting .
Who is Anaïd Demir?
Anaïd Demir is an influential figure in the French art scene. After earning a master's degree in art history from the Sorbonne, she began her journalistic career in 1995 in the pages of Technikart before joining Le Journal des Arts , where she was in charge of contemporary art from 2001 to 2007. She then headed the editorial staff of Be Contemporary . A regular contributor to Beaux-Arts Magazine , L'Œil , Radio Nova and Jalouse , she has always combined critical engagement with a passion for artists. She is also the author of unique works combining art and fiction, such as Le Dernier jour de Jean-Michel Basquiat , Joconde intime , and Maison-mère . Her latest essay, Les Suffragettes de l'art (Beaux-Arts de Paris, 2024), traces the struggle of women artists to enter the École des Beaux-Arts at the end of the 19th century.
Anaïd Demir
Valuable expertise for emerging artists
Tips for presenting your artistic work
Anaïd Demir emphasizes the clear structure of an artist's portfolio and emphasizes the importance, for every artist, of knowing how to present their work in an organized and coherent manner. "You have to be factual and know where you stand in art history," she insists.
So, an effective portfolio must:
Describe your practice precisely : painting, sculpture, performance, photography, etc.
Specify the materials used : wood, wool, plaster, canvas, etc.
Situating your work in art history : What are your influences? Which artists do you look up to?
Express your artistic purpose : environment, memory, body, society, etc.
How to set the price of a work of art?
Among the most concrete pieces of advice, Anaïd Demir directly addresses the often taboo question of the price of a work. She offers a pragmatic method: "Price is determined, not decreed, and you have to be reasonable without devaluing yourself," she reminds us, emphasizing that an artist's reputation is built gradually, through exhibitions, sales, and recognition in the industry.
To establish a consistent price, she recommends:
Calculate production and transportation costs
Set an hourly rate based on your status as a professional artist
Do not overestimate or underestimate your prices if you start without a quote.
Adapt your prices to the reality of the art market and its ecosystem (galleries, curators, collectors)
Promoting your artwork online: best practices
In the digital age, careful online presentation is essential. Anaïd Demir emphasizes the importance of choosing a strong, visually striking work that immediately embodies the artist's artistic universe. "You have to intrigue, capture attention, and make people want to discover more," she recommends.
To optimize your online visibility, she advises:
Choose a visually strong work as your calling image
Offer a varied selection of works at different prices
Be very descriptive in the work sheets (size, materials, concept)
Think about the visual impact of each room
Anaïd Demir's advice underscores how precision and clarity are essential for any artist wishing to showcase their work. Whether structuring a portfolio, setting a price, or showcasing their work online, each element must be carefully considered. One fundamental point stands out in particular: the need to be extremely descriptive in the presentation of each work.
A photograph or a painting is never perceived in the same way through a screen as it is in reality. This is why it is crucial to accompany each image with a detailed text, explaining the technique used, the texture of the materials, the nuances of color, and the artist's intentions. The more precise a description, the more it invites the viewer to imagine the work beyond the simple visual, to feel its presence and to want to discover it in person. It is through the richness of the detail that the desire to go further, to see the work in its multiple facets and, perhaps, to acquire it is born.
FAQ:
Why is it important to structure your portfolio well?
A well-organized portfolio allows you to present your work in a professional and coherent manner, highlighting your style, influences and materials.
How to set the price of your works of art?
Production costs, working time, market positioning and the gradual evolution of its artistic rating must be taken into account.
Why be very descriptive in the presentation of a work?
A detailed description helps the viewer better perceive the work and compensate for the gap between digital vision and real experience.
What are the essential elements for promoting your works online?
A strong image as an eye-catcher, a variety of works available, a detailed description and work on the visual impact of each piece.
Nicolas Sarazin
| ArtMajeur Magazine