Reborn as a great painter, with a system, you can be willful

Chapter 378: Surprises and Accidents, Goals, New Friends

On the morning of the second day after arriving in New York, Jiang Zhe and his group took a taxi to their first destination of the day - the New Era Gallery.

Jiang Zhe looked at the scenery outside the window and asked Wang Zhen in a low voice: "Is it necessary for me to go with you for today's event?"

Wang Zhen replied, "You have to go to Christie's. After all, they are auctioning your works for you, so you should go and visit them. I need you to help me support the New and Emerging Gallery."

Jiang Zhe never asked what business Wang Zhen and the others were here to discuss. "What role can I play?"

Wang Zhen said: "Our domestic galleries have learned some of the management methods of foreign galleries. However, it is difficult for our painters to go abroad, unless they live abroad or integrate into foreign cultural circles. You are a rare exception.

You have won several awards abroad and have achieved success in auctions, so you can be considered famous.

Large foreign galleries not only pay attention to the primary market, but also make efforts in the secondary market.

If you come with me, people won't look down on us."

Jiang Zhe said: "Can I have such a big impact?"

Yes. Wang Zhen said solemnly: "Before, if they wanted to come to visit and learn, they had to find a way to get here." Jiang Zhe knew that they were referring to the companions who came with him.

"In the past two years, these foreign galleries have wanted to recommend some painters to our domestic market through us. That's why we have this opportunity. We also want to promote some painters to the foreign market."

"Do you think it will work?"

Wang Zhen said: "Whether it can be successful or not, we have to talk about it and try it out."

The group came to a gallery on the Upper East Side.

The gallery's architectural exterior combines different elements, including a traditional European-style roof, red brick walls, metal-framed doors and windows, as well as modern-style signs and simple decorations.

Wang Zhen told Jiang Zhe that Xinrui Gallery was founded 11 years ago. Although it does not have a long history, it is already a large gallery in New York and has branches in Europe. It is said that it also plans to open a gallery in Asia.

A middle-aged man named Frick received everyone.

When introducing each other, Frick shook hands with Jiang Zhe enthusiastically: "Mr. Jiang Zhe, welcome. Today, two painters from our gallery will also meet with you. I believe you will have a pleasant exchange."

Jiang Zhe also complimented the other party.

Frick took Jiang Zhe and others to visit the gallery first.

The gallery has four floors of exhibition space.

Jiang Zhe saw the works of the painters that the gallery promoted.

According to Frick, the gallery handles works by many well-known painters, including deceased painters.

Jiang Zhe heard the names of some famous painters.

He vaguely remembered seeing the names of these painters in many gallery advertisements, but he didn't know how they did it. Anyway, he couldn't tell whether it was real or fake.

The exhibition space of this gallery is very unique. It tries to eliminate unnecessary decorations and highlight the effect of the paintings.

There are many modern-style works here, which, to put it bluntly, are works that are difficult to understand.

Jiang Zhe stopped in front of a work of art.

This work uses paint to imitate the reflection of smooth tiles and glass, and the reflected image is very strange. It is very conspicuous among a group of modern works.

When Frick saw Jiang Zhe paying attention to this painting, he said, "This is the work of David, the painter that our gallery promotes."

Jiang Zhe asked, "Is he the same name as the neoclassical painter David?"

"No, no, you misunderstood." Frick smiled happily: "David is just our name. Their names are different."

The group walked to the fourth floor, and Jiang Zhe noticed a work that he could accept.

This work uses slightly exaggerated brushwork to depict the pastoral scenery, working farmers, and machinery. It should be a representation of American ranch life, which reminds people of the beautiful scene of sunshine filling the ranch.

A gallery staff member introduced to Jiang Zhe that this was the work of a female painter named Annie.

Both Anne and David will be at the gallery today.

After the tour, Frick invited the group to his office. Jiang Zhe was not interested in what they talked about.

When we first started discussing the intention, he could still listen, but when it came to specific details, he simply started to daydream.

After a while, the staff came in and whispered something to Frick.

Frick invited a man and a woman into the office and introduced them to Jiang Zhe and others. These two people were David and Anne.

David is tall and thin, with surprisingly fair skin, and looks listless.

Jiang Zhe couldn't tell his age, but guessed he was in his thirties.

Anne is a slightly plump woman with wheat-colored skin, brown curly hair, and is about forty years old. She has wrinkles on her face and a gentle temperament.

After introducing each other, the two invited Jiang Zhe to have coffee.

Jiang Zhe took the opportunity to leave the office.

Annie said to Jiang Zhe, "These kinds of talks are always so boring. There is a nice space here where we usually drink coffee and chat."

Jiang Zhe followed the two of them to a space on the third floor, where there were tables and chairs, and a few simple black and white prints and sketches on the walls.

After the three of them sat down, the staff brought three cups of coffee.

Annie said to Jiang Zhe: "I have seen your paintings, they are great! I am willing to meet painters from China and want to learn about different cultures. However, some Chinese painters who come to the United States always quickly integrate into the United States."

Jiang Zhe smiled and said, "What's the difference between me and them?"

Anne said: "Your temperament is different from theirs, you are reserved, but you have a unique confidence."

"Thank you. I saw your work when I was visiting just now. It's a wonderful pastoral."

"I was born there..." Annie talked about her experience, how she changed from a farm girl to a painter. Jiang Zhe also talked about his experience.

Through chatting, we can see that Anne has a straightforward personality.

David rarely interrupted.

"David, why are you so silent today?" Anne asked.

"I have seen many works of art from China. I think the art in your own country is already great. I don't understand why you came here to study oil painting?" said David.

These words have two meanings. One is to praise the greatness of Chinese traditional art. The other is that Chinese people who come here to learn oil painting are looked down upon, or that people don’t think you can learn it.

“I think a lot of people don’t understand oil painting at all because of cultural differences,” David continued.

Okay, no need to guess, they have made it clear.

Anne's face changed: "David, you are not polite."

David said nonchalantly: "I'm just telling the truth."

Seeing him like this, Annie had no choice but to say to Jiang Zhe: "Don't mind it, he's having a hard time lately."

Jiang Zhe was unhappy, but he would not turn hostile here.

"It doesn't matter. Everyone has a different understanding of painting. Oil painting has been introduced to China for a hundred years, and different methods have been derived." When he said this, he secretly decided in his heart that I will use the oil paintings that you are proud of to create works that you will admire and learn from.

After hearing what Jiang Zhe said, David said, "Sorry, I have something else to do." Then he stood up and left.

Annie watched him leave and said to Jiang Zhe, "Don't mind it. In the past, I just felt that this person was very proud, but I didn't expect that he would do this."

"Thank you."

"My studio is not far from here. If you have time, I hope you can come and visit me." Anne made an invitation.

Jiang Zhe said: "I also want to visit, but we still have to go to Castel."

Anne smiled. "I think this is another reason why David is unhappy. You know, his work was sold for only $10,000 at Christie's auction, which was far below expectations. And your work was sold for a very high price, far above the estimated price."

(End of this chapter)