FIRST ON RADAR: Artists demand for unpaid sales as Gravity Art Space sets deadline for unclaimed works

The notice also signaled that artists may soon have to shoulder storage costs for their unclaimed works: “Gravity Art Space has continued to safeguard these works free of charge. However, with operations suspended, we are no longer able to maintain dedicated storage arrangements free of charge indefinitely.”

The gallery asked artists, collectors, owners, and duly authorized representatives to retrieve their works by Dec. 31, 2026, describing it as the “final deadline” under its current “complimentary storage arrangements.”

All retrievals or pullouts must be made by appointment. Requests should include a photo or other documentation, the artist’s name, title of the artwork, and exhibition or program where available.

Those unable to retrieve their works by the deadline were “encouraged to contact [the gallery] before the deadline for alternative arrangement.”

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, artworks that remain uncollected without a confirmed alternative arrangement will be considered “uncollected property” in Gravity Art Space’s custody.

The gallery said it will “take steps available under Philippine law to end its continuing custody” of the works, including “transfer to third-party storage or safekeeping and, where necessary or appropriate, judicial consignation or other lawful measures.”

“We strongly encourage everyone concerned to act within the stated period,” it added.

Gravity Art Space was co-founded by Paredes, also an artist, and his partner, Melai Matias, who is also the head of collections.

More questions than answers

But for some artists, including those who previously held exhibitions at Gravity Art Space, the notice raised more questions than answers.

Tekla Tamoria shared a screenshot of the notice and pointed to the lack of an update on unpaid works. “Biglang nag Update. Sa Unpaid Wala pa What to do? What to do,” she wrote.

The gallery’s description of the storage as “complimentary” also drew criticism in the comments. “The text feels like the artists owes them for safeguarding the artworks for free, haaay! ‘Complimentary storage’ daw. Nakakaloka!” one commenter wrote.

Angela Silva raised a separate question about “unpaid sold works.”

“GAS holds the records. Their admin staff gone. Melai said no payment to me until I signed their COA, a stalling tactic,” Silva said, adding whether collectors could come forward, contact artists, and confirm what they had bought.

Other commenters raised concerns about communication with the gallery. One shared a screenshot of their message left on “Read,” while another claimed that the gallery had not responded to the email provided in the notice, saying, “pinipili lang nila kung sino rereplayan.”

‘Isang taos-pusong paghingi ng tawad’

In a Sept. 8 statement titled “Isang Taos-Pusong Paghingi ng Tawad,” Paredes apologized for his “matagal na pananahimik” and acknowledged that people had been “nasaktan, nadismaya, nagalit, nalito, at naiwan na may mga tanong.”