Private galleries destroy little interest in modern art

Ostrava - Private galleries are suffering from a lack of interest in the purchase of artworks. In Ostrava alone, at least three galleries have closed in recent years. Galleries are facing declining revenues, with ceramics, costume jewelry, and other small items selling better than paintings. Those gallery owners who find a compromise between good quality and saleability, and have more activities that help sustain modern art, are managing to survive, ČTK found out.
    The Kopeček gallery has closed in the Moravian-Silesian metropolis, and after 16 years of operation, the Della gallery of Miroslava Pajasová has also shut down, as has the gallery on Výstavní Street.
    The Helga gallery in Třinec is fighting for survival; it is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year but has been struggling with a significant decline in revenues in recent years. "The gallery does not live on art but on the sale of ceramics, costume jewelry, souvenirs, and other small items," said gallery owner Naděžda Kaletová in an interview with the Třinecký hutník weekly.
    The two-year-older Chagall Arts Center does not rely solely on income from its network of galleries. In Ostrava, it also has a store for art supplies, provides framing, matting, painting restoration, and other services. "In the overall picture, it somehow works out, but it's just about survival," said Petr Pavliňák, the owner of Chagall, who runs the art center with his son, to ČTK today.
    One of the most famous galleries in Ostrava has already had to close its unprofitable exhibition space. Previously, Chagall operated 16 galleries in the region, but since the end of last year, it only has half that number. This year, there will only be 42 exhibitions instead of the usual 60 openings, according to Pavliňák.
    According to Pavliňák, galleries have faced a very difficult period since the beginning of 2000, which affects not just the Czech Republic. "Collectors do not have enough money, and the truly big ones, estimated to be about 200 in the country, including the former head of TV Nova Vladimír Železný, already have complete collections and only add to them minimally. However, the beginning of the year does suggest an increasing trend," he asserts.
    The Beseda gallery in the center of Ostrava benefits from the backing of a strong owner - the Šmíra-Print company, which earns revenue for wages and consumed electricity through its own café. Gallery curator Petr Pivoda said that sponsors are also needed to cover the costs of publishing catalogs for six solo exhibitions organized each year.
    According to Pavliňák, it is important to offer people what they will enjoy. "We try to create projects that are a compromise between artistic quality and saleability. Recently, we managed to hold an audience-appealing exhibition by Helena Salichová. However, it happens that despite initial expectations, very few paintings are sold," added Pavliňák, who believes that the art market would benefit if purchased works could be deducted from taxes.