InScope Director Hayley Smith on Evolving Gallery-Artist Relationships

Hayley River Smith, director of InScope, formerly known as Scope Art Show, has shared insights into the evolving relationship between artists and art galleries, as part of HypeArt's new 'State of Art' series. This series aims to gather perspectives from prominent figures in the contemporary art world, including artists, curators, and collectors, to discuss current trends, debates, and future directions.

Historically, gallery representation was a primary indicator of an artist's success, providing access to collectors, institutions, and curators, thereby fostering visibility and career growth. However, Smith observes a significant shift in this dynamic. Artists now possess the capability to cultivate global audiences, conduct direct sales, organize their own exhibitions, and build communities independently, often bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Despite these advancements, Smith asserts that galleries are not becoming obsolete. Instead, she argues that the nature of the artist-gallery relationship must adapt to contemporary realities.

In her discussion for the 'State of Art' series, Smith delves into what constitutes meaningful representation in 2026. She questions the enduring relevance of the traditional 50/50 commission split and highlights the increasing importance of belief, trust, and genuine investment in an artist's career over mere representation. Smith articulated that "What people are craving now is real connection beyond what is transactional." This sentiment underscores a broader industry trend moving away from purely commercial interactions towards more substantive, relationship-driven engagement.

Smith reframes the question from whether artists still need galleries to what kind of relationship artists and galleries should cultivate. She notes that the art world has long adhered to predictable models for galleries, artists, art fairs, and success. However, this adherence has led to a sense of "sameness," prompting a critical re-evaluation of existing structures. The proliferation of direct-to-audience platforms and sales channels empowers artists to achieve significant reach and commercial success without relying solely on gallery infrastructure. This shift necessitates a redefinition of the gallery's role, moving beyond a transactional intermediary to a more collaborative and supportive partner invested in the artist's long-term development and connection with their audience.