This section is intended to provide information for prospective purchasers of sculpture created by group members.
It details procedures at exhibitions, taking delivery of sculpture from an artist, exhibition or gallery, and procedures for buying direct from an artist.
Exhibition procedure
Multiple editions and sales - an explanation
In common with other fine-art processes (etching, wood engraving etc) sculpture may be made as an edition.
The numbers printed in the edition section of the catalogue show how many copies of a work are available. For example 5/8 indicates that the piece in the exhibition is number 5 out of a total of 8. Four may already have been sold at other exhibitions.
A sculptor must decide, before exhibiting a work, how many copies the edition will comprise. Once this has been printed in a catalogue, the upper limit of the edition must be observed. The artist may make one or more ‘artist’s proofs’ of the work for personal use before the edition number is set and one of these may be used to make a replacement mould if the original becomes damaged before the edition is complete.
When the upper limit of copies is reached, no more may be made and the mould should be defaced or destroyed.
If a red spot is seen on an edition in an exhibition, this DOES NOT mean that no more are available (unless the piece is the last in the edition). A red spot on the label denotes that a particular piece has been sold. Two red spots or more indicate that extra copies have been ordered at the exhibition. Other methods are also sometimes used involving green, or yellow, dots in an attempt to make things clearer. The best thing is always to enquire at the steward’s desk to confirm how many copies, if any, are still available.
Extra copies ordered at an exhibition may already have been cast, or may have to be cast specially. Purchasers will usually be given the telephone number of the sculptor so that they can enquire how long it may take to re-cast and arrange a delivery date.
Items marked Original in the catalogue are the piece from which an edition has been made.
Items marked Unique in the catalogue are one-off pieces and once sold cannot be repeated. Many of our sculptors take commissions, however, and may have something similar in their studio.
Some items may also be marked as being part of a Series. These are similar to editions, but each piece will be similar, but not identical to each other.
Taking delivery
NB: These notes are provided, and any sizes or weights are given, as a guide only.
The notes generally apply to sculpture sold to customers who reside on the UK mainland.
Overseas purchasers MUST negotiate individual arrangements related to their location.
General Notes
Most exhibitions adopt the common practice that “The Artist is responsible for the delivery of the purchased work, directly to the customer”. Please note that this does not mean that the artist is necessarily responsible for the cost of delivery.
In most cases, work seen at an exhibition is not normally available for delivery until the end of the exhibition. Exceptions must be agreed by the Exhibition Manager.
For a customer it is important to determine delivery terms & conditions before purchase to avoid any misunderstanding.
Any special agreement to purchase the plinth must also be negotiated at the time of purchase.
Stewards at an exhibition may not have the ability to make delivery arrangements and will contact the artist to clarify the position on behalf of the customer.
Payment should normally be made before delivery. If a substantial deposit has been paid then this condition can be negotiated with the artist.
In many cases, the most convenient arrangement for all parties for work purchased at an exhibition is for the customer to collect it from the exhibition venue at the end of the exhibition - arrangements for this should be initiated at time of purchase.
Large Pieces [over 2M or 20 kg]
Sculpture in this category often necessitates special transport. This will sometimes involve additional cost for transport and/or installation. An agreement between the artist and customer as to the costs, date, time and any special unloading requirements is very important at the time of purchase.
Medium Pieces [over 1M or 10 kg]
For medium sized pieces, delivery is normally accommodated by the artist with his own transport (e.g. estate car or small van). An agreement with the customer as to the costs, date, time and any special unloading requirements, must be clearly made before delivery takes place. In some cases the customer will be able to collect work at the end of the exhibition; this must be clearly agreed between the artist and the customer.
Small Pieces [under 1M or 10 kg]
Small pieces can vary considerably. Some can be quite heavy [e.g. Bronzes].
An agreement with the customer as to the costs, date and time of the delivery must be agreed.
Some artists use couriers for some work, and this normally involves the artist being responsible for the packing and direct cost of courier/carrier services, and advising the customer of the date of delivery, to receive and sign for the package. Any damage caused by this method must be reported immediately to the artist and/or courier immediately.
Buying direct from an artist
Sculpture can generally be bought directly from a member at any time. Arrangements for viewing, prices, payment and delivery can be made directly with the member artist.
CONTACTING
Member artists can be contacted using the details found on their own page within this site, which can be located using the Artists index page.
Contact details for member artists who do not have their own page on this site can be obtained by contacting the Group Administrator, who will forward messages to the member involved.
COMMISSION
If a piece is on display at an exhibition, it should be purchased there, as the artist will normally be committed to paying commission on the sale. If the piece was first observed by the purchaser on display at an exhibition which has closed during the last three months, the artist is expected to honour the commission during that period. After that, arrangements are at the discretion of the artist.