Deeply Disappointing Experience – Proceed with Caution
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With years in the art world (including Sotheby’s and international galleries), this was the most problematic gallery transaction I’ve ever encountered. I cannot recommend Gormleys Art Gallery—whether you’re a collector, advisor, or artist. Invest your time, money, and trust elsewhere.
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My Experience I purchased a sculpture I loved from Gormleys Art Gallery, Dublin, in 2018, and what should have been an exciting acquisition quickly spiraled into an exhausting saga.
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What Went Wrong Misrepresentation of the Artwork • The piece displayed in-gallery had a striking patina; the version shipped to me looked completely different. • Only after delivery was I told there were eight casts and finishes could vary—information that was never disclosed at the point of sale. Costly “Solution” and Poor Communication • When I raised the issue, responses were sporadic. • The gallery insisted I pay over €2,000 to re-patinate the sculpture to the colour I believed I had purchased—an astonishing ask, but I agreed just to resolve the matter. Damage in Gallery-Arranged Transit • After repatination, the sculpture arrived damaged. • Gormleys blamed their chosen art shippers. Botched Second Repatination • They collected it again at no extra charge, yet the second finish was sloppy and devalued the work. • They assured me the foundry used was “the artist’s own,” but the result suggested otherwise. Final Resolution at My Expense • I eventually located a specialist artisan foundry myself, paid out of pocket, and finally achieved the quality the piece deserved—adding roughly 30 % of the original purchase price to my costs.
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Wider Concerns • Multiple artists, dealers, and collectors I consulted were unsurprised—they described my experience as consistent with the way Gormleys operates: business first, with client care and artwork integrity treated as secondary concerns. • They stock well-known names, but often not top-tier works—and prices frequently exceed true market value.
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I hope this helps others make an informed decision. If you’re starting or advancing your art journey, there are far better galleries that put your trust and the artwork’s...
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