Jakub Fijewski (Opinion): In Poland, there is still a lack of a culture of reliable collaboration between art collectors and galleries. Most transactions take place through auction houses, which further exacerbates the issue of limited financial flow to artists and the professional infrastructure responsible for their presence in the art market.

Jakub Fijewski: Buying directly from artists is a good solution

Purchasing artworks through auction houses primarily generates profits for market organizers rather than supporting the artists themselves, their promoters, agents, or galleries. In my view, this form of acquisition has little cultural value. Buying directly from artists is a good solution, especially at the early stage of their careers. However, artists without market experience who rely mainly on promotional tools such as Instagram or other online platforms quickly exhaust their sales potential within their immediate circle of acquaintances.

An example of a different approach is the activity of Fijewski Gallery, which operates in the markets of the United States, Switzerland, and Poland, and presents the works of its artists at international art fairs, including in Asia.

Jakub Fijewski: In Art, Time Is Measured in Decades

In 2024, Fijewski Gallery participated in the Cannes Film Festival on the French Riviera, the K-Art Fair in the Republic of Korea, and opened a new exhibition space in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Such a broad scope of operations has only been possible thanks to the trust collectors place in the work of Fijewski Gallery and the quality of the art it promotes, including works by Polish artists. Undertakings of this scale on the international stage are difficult to realize alone—in art, time is measured in decades, and international success requires collaboration and mutual understanding among all market participants: artists, collectors, and institutions.

Jakub Fijewski: A Clear Difference Between Polish and Foreign Collectors

It is also crucial to support young artists by investing boldly in their work early in their careers, even if that means knowingly “overpaying.” This kind of support lays the groundwork for their future development. In this context, a clear difference emerges between collectors in Poland—who often look for bargains—and collectors abroad, who are more inclined to ask why they are buying a particular piece and how their choices might impact the world around them. For them, financial gain is less important than making a conscious contribution to the development of art and culture.

I hope that the upcoming year, 2025, will offer an opportunity for reflection, and that both private and institutional collectors will begin to more systematically support the development of the art market by purchasing works directly from galleries. To illustrate the issue: in a standard gallery sale model, 50% of the price goes to the artist and 50% to the gallery. All of these funds return to the market—the artist can create more works, and the gallery invests in their promotion, for example by showcasing them at international art fairs, covering exhibition logistics, or organizing meetings with collectors, such as in the United States.

Jakub Fijewski: In Auction Sales, Especially of Young Art, Only 5% Goes to the Artist

In contrast, when a work is purchased at an auction house—especially young art—only 5% of the final price goes to the artist, while 55% goes to the current owner and 40% remains with the auction house (20% from the seller, 20% from the buyer). As a result, these funds do not support the promotion of the artist or the development of their career. Moreover, selling a work at a low price can have long-term negative consequences—the price listed in auction results often becomes a ceiling that is difficult to surpass later on, potentially stalling the growth of a young artist for many years.

Who Is Jakub Fijewski?

Jakub Fijewski is an art dealer, advisor, entrepreneur, and investor. After 15 years in business, he founded and now runs Fijewski Gallery, a contemporary art gallery. He is a graduate of the I Liceum Ogólnokształcące (First General Secondary School) and the State Music School, where he studied saxophone under Mariusz Stec. He played in a brass band conducted by the late Stanisław Chromik. During his school years, he took part in orienteering, played basketball and volleyball, and was actively involved in volunteer work.

He studied Finance and Accounting at the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH) and Art History at the University of Warsaw. He combines his business experience with a passion for the arts, representing established artists from Central and Eastern Europe.

Previously, Jakub Fijewski was involved in the capital markets, working for Alfabeat.com, a venture capital fund. He is an investor in numerous startup projects and has co-founded companies in the fields of IT, Education, and New Media. He is also a shareholder in the manufacturing company Beyond Seams. Between 2007 and 2011, he ran the investor relations agency Estero.

Through Fijewski Gallery, Jakub Fijewski sees his mission as promoting culture in a way that is open and engaging for audiences—building a bridge between the worlds of art and business. Fijewski Gallery serves collectors in over 30 countries. In October 2022, he received the prestigious „VIP Biznesu” award, granted by the editorial board of Magazyn VIP.

CER Opinions > MJM > Source: Agencja Informacyjna > 2.01.2025