Gallery bosses hit out at Dunne’s art gallery plans

THE art world clashed with millionaire businessman Ben Dunne yesterday over his plans to open a chain of art galleries across the country.

Gallery bosses hit out at suggestions by Mr Dunne that exhibit spaces were presently a closed shop, a cartel.

The former supermarket boss intends to charge artists a maximum 25% commission. He intends opening his first gallery beside his Carlisle health centre, in Terenure, Dublin, and will follow this with other exhibit spaces for artists in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast. He intends bringing a renowned art figure into the venture.

However, director Tara Murphy with the Solomon Gallery, Dublin, said: “Some of the things he said about the galleries were completely untrue, almost libellous.

“Galleries welcome competition in the market. Obviously the more galleries that are out there, the more people will be interested in art and that actually is advantageous to all artists on our island.”

Ms Murphy criticised Mr Dunne’s comments that galleries were cold and lacked parking facilities.

She disputed claims that commission rates for galleries were running up to 50%, saying that they varied. Overhead costs, including insurance, electricity, postage and rental prices were to blame, she added.

But Mr Dunne fired back on radio yesterday denying his words were “libellous.” The former retail boss said he wanted to target art students who were forking out large sums for exhibit spaces.

“The artist is the person with the creative mind, the artist is the person that has the talent, that has the canvas, that has to do all the work. And I think it’s a thundering disgrace that somebody then steps in, with what they call walls, which is basically a gallery and they take 50% of the income.”

Mr Dunne said he became aware of young artists footing high commission rates in recent months after buying large amounts of art himself.

But a leading Dublin gallery owner, Noelle Campbell Sharpe yesterday warned the Mr Dunne to keep his business plans out of the art world.

“For god’s sake leave the artists of Ireland alone, we don’t want a ‘Dunnes’ mentality in that area.

“God help the artists that go that route with you,” she said.