u/1engel

So I do ceramics as a hobby and have exhibited as part of group shows at galleries in the past. Recently one gallery sent out a call for submissions for a LGBTQ+ themed exhibition and I sent in some plates, of which three were chosen to be included in the exhibition. We went to the gallery on the day of the opening, we were a bit early so we had a look around so long. To add context this gallery had about 4 different exhibit rooms and we weren’t together the whole time. The opening happens and afterwards we walk through the exhibition (which includes my plates) and I see that all three my plates have red dot stickers next to them, meaning they have sold, and I am overjoyed!
Yesterday I receive an email with the payment details- the gallery normally includes the name of the person who bought this, and it just read “anonymous”. Immediately this raises red flags. I. Then remember the conversation we had on the way home after the opening, where my husband asked if the gallery tells you who bought the pieces of art- I explained to him that they did. Tonight I asked him directly if he bought it and he confirmed it. I asked him why and his response was just that he “really wanted” them. I explained to him that he could just have asked and I would have made us some. I feel upset that he bought it before anyone else had a chance to do so at the exhibition. In some way I feel like a charity case. In some way It might even have been better if no one bought it and it just returned it after the exhibition. My husband just feels that he did a good thing. Lastly I must add that because I do this as a hobby, I have imposter syndrome when I am between full time artists or people that went to art school. Am I just an over sensitive ass?