Buying Art Remotely From a Dakar Gallery

Buying a painting remotely from a Dakar gallery mostly happens on WhatsApp: you ask for photos, details on technique and dimensions, sometimes a video, then pay once that information is confirmed. At Ge'eza's gallery in Point E, the process starts by opening the artwork's page to ask its price, continues with a detailed reply from the team, and ends with payment and a choice between collection on site or shipping.

Why WhatsApp rather than a form

A WhatsApp exchange lets you ask questions as they come to mind, get extra photos without waiting for a new form, and keep a written record of the whole conversation, useful if any question comes up later. It is the preferred channel for buying remotely from Ge'eza: +221 78 660 07 07, during restaurant hours, Tuesday to Sunday, 8am to 10pm.

What to ask before you decide

Always ask for the exact dimensions of the piece, its precise technique, its year and its general condition. Also ask for a close-up photo of the canvas surface, to judge the texture, and if possible a short video shot in natural light rather than with flash, which distorts colour and surface detail. A gallery used to selling remotely answers these requests without undue delay.

Understanding the price before you pay

Prices are not posted online while Ge'eza's price list is still being finalised; they are given on request, for each piece. Once a price has been given in writing, it holds for that conversation; ask for written confirmation before paying, especially if the exchange stretches over several days. The guide on paying for art in Dakar covers the accepted payment methods and what comes with each sale.

The certificate, even at a distance

Buying remotely changes nothing about the certificate of authenticity: every work sold at Ge'eza leaves with this document signed by the artist, whether it is collected on site or shipped. Ask to see a photo of the certificate before shipping, in addition to the original that will travel with the canvas.

Shipping, or collection by someone you trust

If you cannot travel yourself, two options exist: shipping outside Dakar on request, or collection by someone you trust who is on site, to whom you hand the payment details. In that second case, tell the team in writing the name of the person who will come to collect the piece, to avoid any confusion at pickup.

Questions that avoid unpleasant surprises

Before paying for a piece you have not seen in person, ask: does the price include packing and shipping, or are those costs separate; how long does shipping to your country take; what happens if the piece arrives damaged; does the certificate travel with the canvas or separately. A written answer to each of these is worth more than a verbal promise.

Comparing several pieces remotely

If more than one piece interests you at the same time, ask for the same information for each, in the same format: dimensions, technique, year, condition. Keeping those answers in a single WhatsApp conversation avoids mixing up the details of one canvas with another, especially when the exchange stretches over several days. Some remote buyers also ask for a photo of two pieces side by side, at the same distance, to compare their real scale rather than relying on written dimensions alone.

The time difference, a detail worth planning for

From Europe or North America, the time difference with Dakar is limited, but it still shapes the pace of a WhatsApp exchange. A question sent late in the day from the UK often gets a reply before the gallery closes on the Dakar side, while a question sent in the evening from the US or Canada more often waits until the following morning. Planning for that delay avoids unnecessary impatience during a purchase that involves a significant amount of money.

If you are about to leave Dakar

For anyone living in Dakar but about to move away, the contact page is a good way to set up the purchase before departure: give your dates and constraints, and the team can arrange payment and either collection or shipping accordingly, without rushing the decision.

Coming to see the works in person

Nothing replaces a visit to judge a canvas at its real scale, especially before a significant purchase. Ge'eza's gallery can be visited without an appointment during restaurant hours. For any question, write on WhatsApp to +221 78 660 07 07 or to geezacultures@gmail.com, naming the piece you are interested in.