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Illustration by David Risley
Over the coming months, CHART will shine a light on the industry and its internal dynamics, giving you an insider's guide to the Nordic art scene. We will explore the passions that get people up in the morning and present new perspectives on both the everyday and long-term processes that shape our cultural landscape.
We’ll kick off with a “who’s who” guide to the art world, drawn and explained by artist and former gallerist David Risley, to help plot the different positions. Read on for David’s playful mapping of the art world’s key players - if you see yourself, we hope you’ll smile…
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=3072&h=2171&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=16093d2127c5ee86d410d66019c021c4 3072w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=2560&h=1809&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=d0b75f23e2be6d3c2c551ee179a71786 2560w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=2048&h=1447&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=307b8d7b2be76b45bed478e564af10c3 2048w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=1920&h=1357&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=c069b2662cf6f9718bc0db03744d5043 1920w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=1536&h=1085&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=3c7024f7fa3f980b73ca8a1e690519a4 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=1280&h=904&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=989307e656d2dd10028a82fc56f4462f 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=1024&h=723&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=34f6cb2185f2d0f59653f39cce5e15fe 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=768&h=542&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=05a2d5ad680913ae12924ca277e0af4a 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=512&h=361&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=1dd372fcc70c2f866af09eff7741fa36 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=256&h=180&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=1423a2e475a45e6522766a261f8e173c 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-Lines-LANDSCAPE.jpg?w=128&h=90&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834304&s=207621f32b276237c527f926635f24ad 128w)
Illustration by David Risley
Artist
From the struggling to those hell-bent on world domination, they are the centre of it all. Without them, none of the other jobs would exist. Making and exhibiting paintings, sculptures, installations, films, performances etc.
Gallerist
Agent, manager, curator, salesman, confidante, therapist. Gallerists represent artists and work with them over long periods of time to help build and manage their career through exhibitions, sales and building a network of influential connections.
Collector
The fuel. Individuals who buy works of art, primarily to keep and to own. From actual aristocracy refreshing their family holdings to corporate lawyers hoping that being around art and artists will magically make them more interesting. Free dinners for life if you spend $1000 at a young gallery.
Art Advisor / Dealer
Working independently to help clients buy and sell art by building relationships with galleries. At their worst they’re self important interior designers paid to point at things by oligarchs. Can vary from bored housewives selling bad art to their husbands' banker friends to genuine international power brokers.
Art Critic
Their opinions were historically capable of making and breaking artistic careers, defining movements and advising powerful, market-supporting gallerists and collectors. Their influence has wained at a time when their voice is more necessary than ever to cut through the seemingly endless abundance of artistic production.
Art Fairs
A global merry-go-round of trade fairs, hosting galleries to sell art in cities across the world. Significant cultural drivers in the international exchange and exposure of art.
Auction House
Traditionally trading antique and historical objects openly in the auction room. Increasingly operating directly in private “secondary market” sales, organising exhibitions and acting as primary sales agent between artist and collector.
Independent Curator
Freelance experts who make exhibitions in a variety of museum, gallery and other spaces. Can also be art world short-hand for "currently between roles".
Public Institution Director
Art historians role-playing as powerful CEOs. Fundraising from governments, foundations and billionaire collectors while trying to retain independence. Leadership styles range from full democracy to totalitarian regimes (and that’s just in Denmark).
Private Museum
Collectors pursuing questionably philanthropic levels of public engagement with the treasures they have hoarded.
Foundation Director
Holding the purse strings of public money and private or corporate philanthropic funds. Defining the cultural landscape through power, money and politics.
Art School / The Academy
Where it all begins. Discourse is learned, skills are honed and superstars are born. A handful of global art schools are keenly watched by hungry galleries and collectors looking for the next new talents.
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=1536&h=996&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=6039065c747308b4c3dde59ab2cdc2bf 1536w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=1280&h=830&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=5d4df3c6cb4282706d99e59433758ee5 1280w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=1024&h=664&q=82&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=9d708c97b8e6d688d52a4f764e39b32a 1024w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=768&h=498&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=edbea8bf22a1072f1fe38a2b569e08e7 768w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=512&h=332&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=d154cd9010e0e080bb7057d024b07734 512w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=256&h=166&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=34024a54e147356a8f367f5b0fa4b6d7 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/CHART-MAP-BLANK-LANDSCAPE-01.jpg?w=128&h=83&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643834960&s=24238f7f94de4ab783c541bb10c33422 128w)
Dave Hickey's triangle of risk
Illustration by David Risley
"Artists: From the struggling to those hell-bent on world domination, they are the centre of it all. Without them none of the other jobs would exist."
![](https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/David-Risley.jpg?w=256&h=256&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643623343&s=352a0757433e63011b69ecac4d6b40a0 256w, https://optimise2.assets-servd.host/fluffy-tenrec/production/David-Risley.jpg?w=128&h=128&q=60&fm=jpg&fit=crop&dm=1643623343&s=c7131c0099e5b55a8b9f13e7a0c813df 128w)
David Risley is an artist. He ran David Risley Gallery, in London (2002-2010) and Copenhagen (2010-2018). He was founding Co-curator of Bloomberg Space, London (2002-2005), Co-founder of Zoo Art Fair, London (2004), and Co-founder and Co-owner of CHART. He continues to write, curate, and develop projects with artists. He is developing a sustainability project for public-facing institutions.