Partnerism

Co-creation in art commissions

Partnerism is a way of working in the context of commissioned artwork, in which the work of art originates with the client. Partnerism is based on the concept of co-configuration (co-creation), where art is created based on a dialogue between the artist and the client. The objective of partnerism is to build artist-client relationships, partnerhips, to improve the artist's long-term livelihood, and to create artworks that satisfy both the artist and the client.

In partnerism, the commission begins with a dialogue between the artist and the client. Through the dialogue, various issues connected with the project are reviewed from the perspective of both parties. Such exchanges involve ideas, the client's views, materials to be used, and other issues.

The purpose of such dialogue is to come up with ideas that are likely to stimulate creativity and help the artist complete the project with the best possible outcome. For this reason, it is imperative that the artist not consent to demands that might deflate his motivation; rather, he should introduce his own point of view and accept only input compatible with the art project and with his own particular way of working. It is to the advantage of the client as well that the artist's creative freedom is maintained, even though the project originated with the client.

A successful artist-client relationship ensues when both parties are satisfied with the end result. The client ends up with a piece of art commensurate with himself and his operation, and the artist is able to complete the artwork without having to compromise his artistic principles. In addition, the partnership created will serve to contribute to the artist's long-term livelihood.

Since a satisfying conversation requires direct contact with a client, it is better to forgo having a gallerist or anyone else act as an intermediary between the artist and the client; a circumstance which will further contribute to the artist's income.

Even though partnerism is an operating model related to art commissions and the artist's livelihood, it can be expanded to include other areas as well. The possibilities for a creative partnership between an artist and another party are almost limitless, whether in a commercial or nonprofit enterprise.

Co-configurative partnerships are best carried out in long-term artist-client relationships and in other circumstances in which art is created recurrently for a singular purpose. In such situations, the artist's expression and the client's views have an opportunity to mature, so that the resulting works of art keep improving in an increasingly refined direction.

In this respect, partnerism resembles product development, in which the aim is to keep updating and improving the quality of the product. Thus partnerism is related to the concepts of altering and fine-tuning.





"H.Art.Wall" 2005 / Collage / 65x295cm / Hartwall Ltd



"Electricollage" 2009 / Collage / 70x200cm / Fingrid Oyj



"Electricollage" 2009 / Collage / 70x200cm / Fingrid Oyj



"Safely" 2010 / Collage / 60x180cm / Uudenmaan Ajoharjoitteluradat Oy



"Safely" 2010 / Collage / 60x180cm / Uudenmaan Ajoharjoitteluradat Oy