Returning artwork

[GladOP]

Has anyone done this?

Spent a fortune on a large canvas which whilst technically fits is too big for the space and I think too bright.

I want to return it and swap it for something else.

Or should I just suck it up and make the best of it?
I feel so awful as we spent so much money on it.

Are you really this out of touch with the community you've just bought a property in?

This is an actual place where people have grown up and have family and they want to live and work there. Airbnb and second home owners wanting to 'experience the community' buy up the housing stock increasing prices out if the reach of locals. They create communities that are over stretched in the summer with tourists and dead in the winter as it's just a few lingering locals. Bad for local amenities, schools, shops, restaurants, people....

If I want to go experience somewhere I stay in a hotel or a campsite specially built for the purpose, not pay the mortgage of some second home owner sucking the life out of the community they say they celebrate...

Hotels and campgrounds aren’t for everyone.
Please don’t be too upset. I haven’t bought the holiday home in the UK. Different country different issues.

I mean... if its for an airbnb, who cares if its slightly too big or too bright for the space? You aren't going to be looking at it. It doesn't sound like it's TOTALLY wrong, like a neon clown art piece in an all neutral spa themed room.
YABU to have not done extremely basic research on how airbnb impacts local communities before deciding to be an airbnb host though... its not as if its a secret.

Small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs can support the local community and provide employment. AirBnBs don't.

"I haven’t bought the holiday home in the UK. Different country different issues."

That's OK then.🤔

They don’t have full kitchens. You dont have your own private laundry at these places.

People have different needs. Some people have extreme dietary requirements. When your kids vomits all over themselves during the night it’s nice to be in a house where you can take care of it.
I mean there’s plenty of reasons why someone might need an airbnb

No never used one.

I live in a different country with different issues and I can promise you airb&b has absolutely wrecked the housing market there are absolutely no affordable long term rentals for local people. It's all rich foreigners trying to make even more money. The government are hopefully bringing in rules to ban it 🙏.
Bad luck about the painting though don't take it back put it somewhere else 👍🏼

Maybe put that painting in the AIRBNB adverts with a warning so as they know what sort of havoc they might encounter?

'WARNING - LOUD PAINTING ON WALL'

Don't feel bad about it and fear having the conversation. Artists need wealthy people or else who is gonna buy their non-essential art?? As PP said, the gallery will have a policy. It's perfectly fine to ask them what that is and whether there's any chance of exchanging for a more suitable piece of work. They'll either say yes or no but they'll be professional and it's not going to sully your name in town. It's fine and a very understandable situation. If you're willing to suck it up as a default, then there's nothing to lose asking the question.

No other countries have the same issues do they.

Look at the Canary Islands

@GladOP the gallery will most likely change it for you to another canvas. they need the goodwill. do not attempt to make the pic smaller or you will devalue it. no idea how much you paid but safer to swap it.

Total aside @GladOP are you in Aus? Only ever heard schemozzle from an Aussie. I love it.

Really? I usually have to book a delivery at least a week in advance. I have never ever had my food delivered to airbnb. It is usually eating out and shopping in local area for staples. Who has their food delivered on a holiday?!
However, I do agree that in some parts of the country holiday lets are (and always have been) problematic due to the fact that out of season, the properties remain empty and there are not enough people living in holiday towns to support local economy out of season.

So by not exchanging the artwork I feel I’m letting down future guests because it won’t be the calm tranquil environment that I’m trying to create. It just kinda feels like a lose lose situation.

Talk to the gallery.

Send them a message and ask about their refunds/returns policy if you can't bring yourself to do it face-to-face, and then if they say it's possible, pop in and see them then.

@Yoyooo My "that's all right then"was sarcastic! Hence the 🤔emoji....

I know, that was aimed at the OP 😘

As an artist, the kindest thing I can say is: This would be spectacularly bad form. Sell the work on if you no longer want it.

I'm not without sin as DH and I divided our time between where we live now and our old city flat for a year or two before deciding to move here full time but this is sobering reading on holiday homes: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/mar/12/abersoch-second-homes-holiday-wales or perhaps simply the excellent Cornish film Bait.

I am an artist and work in a gallery and it depends on the structure of how they aquire work and pay artists.

If they buy from the artist and then sell on they will probably be fine to accept a return.

If they sell on a commission (sor) basis and take a commission from the sale price it may be a bit more complicated as it depends on wether the artist has already been paid for the painting or not. Most galleries I've encountered keep the amount due to the artist in escrow for a month or so exactly for situations like this. If you are wanting to return the work after the escrow period has elapsed it is more complicated because the gallery are then buying back the work at full price with a huge pressure to resell, as they can't return it to the artist as usually happens with unsold work consigned on a commission basis.

Airbnb morality issues aside, I would not be putting expensive furniture or decor in one unless you really won't be upset if they get damaged... there's a reason holiday rentals are normally fit out in ikea furniture.

Thanks all,
Sorry, think I’ve mentioned I will keep the art.

I read most of that article, I don’t think it proves what you think it does. If we are all to give up our holiday homes the King can go first.

@GladOP

No i don't use airbnbs, for two reasons, one they take homes away that could be long term let's and 2, pertinent to your original question, they can be too stylised for my liking, oh and 3 I like someone to cook my breakfast and make my bed on holiday.

Hotels are just fine for families too, my kids loved a buffet!

"I don't think it proves what you think it does," haughtily, about a pretty mild piece of reportage that doesn't set out to prove anything, followed by comparing themselves to the King. That's us told!

It is perfectly acceptable to go back to the gallery and ask to swap for another piece. You don’t have to live with something that is going to jar every time you look at it.