The Versatile Master Artist

Hermes Gallery wants to sign Professor Yakai Ichiro for a contract over the next five years, and the core condition they offer is not the tens of millions of US Dollars in contract fees.

It’s merely offering Uncle Sakai a personal art exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Since the Renaissance period, six centuries after the Medici family established the first art museum in human history.

This kind of opportunity is likely being offered for the first time ever to a minor!

Even knowing well it’s an enticing bait for the gallery to hook him into a long contract, Gu Weijing decided he would willingly jump into it.

Theoretically, such opportunities for exhibitions require seniority, connections, timing, and luck—not something achievable merely by skill alone.

If he followed the regular path, no matter how exceptionally strong his painting skill is, Gu Weijing believes he couldn’t vie for such an opportunity before he turns thirty.

Gu Weijing simply couldn’t refuse.

"Reckless young man, congratulations on signing a fifteen-year servitude contract."

Mrs. Sakai didn’t stop him, nor did she sound sarcastic, she just shrugged, "With such a long contract, you’d better hope to maintain a good relationship with Hermes Gallery and not be shelved. Luckily, it seems Ma Shi III really likes you. But honestly, Xiaogu, I don’t blame you."

"If this kind of contract were laid before Shengzi, I myself would, after much deliberation, let her sign it. Presented to a young Ichiro, he would leap into it without hesitation, struggling internally for even a second would be an insult to the condition of ’having an art exhibition at a top gallery.’

"Knowing full well it’s unattainable yet rushing towards it like a moth to flame, just to get a little closer, that’s the allure of the Louvre."

As Mrs. Sakai spoke, her chest rose and fell intensely.

Clearly, she too was deeply shook by the condition offered by Mr. Ma Shi III.

Meanwhile, another elder in the living room, Gu Tongxiang, had long beamed with silliness, falling into a state of near-hysterical ecstasy akin to when Fan Jin passed the imperial examination.

Yesterday, he was shedding bittersweet tears; today, he only sat aside, giggling foolishly.

An art exhibition at the Louvre?

My grandson?

Gu Tongxiang didn’t even care if it was an empty promise; whether or not Gu Weijing can truly seize this opportunity.

Just the combination of ’Louvre’ and ’Gu Weijing’ brought Mr. Gu indescribable joy akin to a cranial orgasm.

Ecstatic enough to jump and dance.

This was absolutely the happiest day of Mr. Gu’s life; even when he earned a fortune dealing with ancient paintings, Gu Tongxiang didn’t feel this gratified.

"I just hope you understand, this is merely a goal for you to strive towards. Even if you can’t achieve it, don’t be discouraged. Even if you can’t have a personal art exhibition in the UAE, as long as you keep painting earnestly, it’s not impossible that you will one day hold your own art feast in the painting gallery in Paris."

The Blond Auntie stood up, patting Gu Weijing’s shoulder in comfort.

The painting gallery in Paris is the main hall in France’s Louvre for artworks from various countries, known as the pinnacle of world oil painting art.

Picasso’s works, once acquired by the Louvre during his lifetime, are placed in the hall of the painting gallery.

"Whether you achieve it or not is up to fate, do your best and leave the rest to destiny."

Before Gu Weijing finished signing, Mrs. Sakai checked the contract one last time and made more detailed agreements on several clauses.

Including the ownership issues of the paintings Gu Weijing prepared for the Lion City Art Exhibition.

According to the contents of the contract brought by Hanks.

Gu Weijing’s formal agency agreement with Hermes Gallery is supposed to take effect at the end of August when the Shicheng Art Exhibition closes.

Starting from midnight on August 27, 2017, whether executing contract A or B, Gu Weijing will officially become the official agent artist for Hermes Gallery.

"For the ownership of the exhibition paintings, is it to be Gu Weijing’s or Hermes Gallery’s? It needs to be clarified in the contract," Mrs. Sakai pointed out the vague areas of the contract, saying.

"Hermes Gallery will invest resources in Gu Weijing, and having enjoyed these resources, the artworks should be considered the gallery’s," Hanks immediately said.

"Seems fair, no objections," Mrs. Sakai smiled, not opposing, "But the statement about ’corresponding resources’ is indeed too vague. Hermes Gallery should provide us with a comprehensive marketing plan first."

"I can only say... it could be considered on a case-by-case basis."

Hanks smiled wryly.

Hermes Gallery has already proposed such a high-stakes agreement, working painstakingly to send Gu Weijing to exhibitions to win awards, and even more painstakingly spending millions of US dollars for Gu Weijing to hold a large personal exhibition at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

What exactly do they want!

Is Gu Weijing Ma Shi III’s illegitimate child?

Even an illegitimate child might not receive such treatment; it practically seems like he is Hermes Gallery’s little royal.

Since Ma Shi III’s ancestors are already peacefully lying in the family graveyard, haven’t heard of anyone suddenly rising from the grave.

So under normal circumstances,

Hanks says they will consider the situation, but since they signed the contract, the gallery will certainly not put much effort into marketing and promoting for Gu Weijing.

The Singapore Biennale is certainly garnering attention from academia and the art world this year, but it’s only a new art exhibition with a short history.

Internationally, there are more than twelve, even three biennales that are at the same level as or more important than the Lion City Art Exhibition.