Regarding the restrictions on auctions, it was the Ma Shi Gallery that urgently added the stipulations after 2008.
In the industry, the term "exclusive agent" in painter contracts originally, for the past half-century, typically only restricted painters from collaborating with competing galleries and other dealers.
There were no other restrictions outside of galleries.
In terms of social perception, it's generally considered that a painter's only channel to monetize their art is through this means.
Just cut off this source.
By convention, artists are not allowed to directly approach auction houses, and auction houses are not allowed to bypass galleries and primary dealers to directly collaborate with the artist.
This is an unspoken rule in the industry; no one does this, breaking the rules, and it's not conducive to the healthy development of the industry.
Even top galleries like Ma Shi, PACE, and Gagosian.
The contract contents are all largely the same.
