¿Vivir del arte? Sí
Steps for Applying for Cultural Sponsorship
Artistic expression is not born as a commodity, but its creators have to sell it to be able to support themselves. This book offers a panoramic view of some of the most important aspects involved in the sale of art works, to orient artists about how to get into the market.
It explains what the criteria are for appropriately appraising a piece, the principles for pricing the artist’s own production, and key aspects that influence the piece’s value, such as the techniques used and the signature.
In addition to reflecting on the specificities of the relationship between the artist and intermediaries, the authors offer practical advice for drawing up contracts with galleries and organizing exhibitions, as well as the crucial link to collectors. And this book is guided by a fundamental conviction: it is possible to make a living from creating.
Rafael Matos has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Universidad Nacional Autónomo de México (National Autonomous University of Mexico). In 1985, he founded the gallery that bears his name, which he then also turned into an auction house. The following year, he created Difusora Mexicana de Arte (Dimart), one of Mexico’s first auction houses, together with Mariana Pérez Amor, Alejandra Reigadas, Ramón López Quiroga, Patricia Ortiz Monasterio, and Jaime Riestra.
From 1990 to 1993, he was president of the Asociación Mexicana de Comerciantes de Arte (Mexican Association of Art Dealers). He is an expert in art and antiques appraisal, licensed by the Mexican government. He has held more than 300 auctions and given different talks and seminars dedicated to art and art forgery both in Mexico and abroad.
His opinion is valued as one of the fundamental voices in Mexican visual art.
Valeria Matos has a master’s degree in women’s studies from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (Autonomous Metropolitan University) and a bachelor’s from the Instituto Cultural Helénico-Universidad Autónoma de México (Hellenic Cultural Institute-Autonomous University of Mexico).
She has worked in different cultural institutions like the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology) and the Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México (Mexico City Cultural Ministry). She is part of the Rafael Matos auction house team and a lecturer at different cultural venues such as the Museo Memoria y Tolerancia (Memory and Tolerance Museum). She is also an essayist for academic and popular magazines.
Trino is a Mexican caricaturist and comic-book writer with a direct, acid wit. His cartoons cover very different themes, ranging from children’s jokes to the most acute political critiques.
He is the winner of the Premio Nacional de Periodismo en Cartón Político (National Prize in Journalism for Political Cartoons) (2000) and the Premio Nacional de Comunicación José Pagés Llergo 2006 (2006 José Pagés Llergo National Prize for Communication).