A Whimsical Mistake

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Gray Malin, You’re Always Welcome at the Parker
2016 | Archival Inkjet print
”First Edition” of 12, Signed + numbered on recto
SOLD
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We all mistakes. Purchasing this piece was my first learning lesson (read: mistake) in my collecting journey.

I first stumbled upon Gray Malin’s work at Kitson in Beverly Hills on Robertson Drive. It was during the 2019 holiday season; I was grabbing some gifts for friends when I stumbled upon a small but vibrant print. The photo was set at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel, it was clearly a newer work but transported you to the 1950s through its production design. The associate at Kitson told me the work was by Gray Malin but didn’t know the edition size (unbeknownst to me at the time, it was an open edition).

Fast forward to 18-months later, I was in a new (much larger) apartment during the pandemic and had a lot of wall space to fill. I recalled Gray Malin and the photo I saw at Kitson— I thought it would be a great piece to complement the new space.

While browsing his other works via his website, I came across another photo that I liked even more: an elephant carrying a colorful bouquet of balloons in front of The Parker Hotel (another iconic SoCal landmark). It was cute and whimsical, a large photo that would take up plenty of wall space, and it was a low edition size; I also loved the behind-the-scenes video that showed him wrangling all types of exotic animals for this shoot/series. And just my luck: he was offering 30% off + Free Shipping site-wide! I thought I had hit the jackpot.

Let me preface this by saying people collect art for all different reasons. I started collecting because I wanted to surround myself with works that inspire me, make me think, and would also (hopefully) increase in value over time. I viewed my purchases as tangible investments that I could live with and see daily. So, while this purchase was a mistake for me— it may not be a mistake for you.

About a year after I purchased this piece, I checked the website because I wanted to get a smaller piece as a gift for a friend. While browsing his website, I noticed he released a “second edition” of the same exact print, in the same exact size. In the course of that year, I learned more about collecting and the art world in general — one thing I knew is that artists don’t release an identical “second run”. It’s just not done.

Frustrated, I reached out to his Guest Services team for some clarification as to this second edition run. Little did I know that “guest services” would be run on ZenDesk. Then everything made sense: Gray Malin wasn’t so much an artist but rather a businessman who was good at photography.

Was I upset? Most definitely. Did I lose respect for Gray Malin? Absolutely, 100%. However, once I reframed my perspective and realized he was a business, it made sense, and I mostly became upset with myself for making a purchase when I didn’t totally understand what I was purchasing.

I liken Gray Malin to Thomas Kinkade. He’s merely creating pretty imagery for the masses. There’s no statement, no commentary, no strong point of view, nothing risqué—just safe, pretty images. He produces them like a production factory, typically offering five different sizes with the two smallest sizes being open editions.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of this —after all it’s his business— it just doesn’t align with the reasons behind what and why I collect. I’m glad his work is so easily available because I do believe art should be more accessible… but it's not for me.