"I’m sure this will work, Dom. Even if Detective Chen traces my art, Sarah Vance doesn't know who I am as she has no details that are legit. So if Chen comes looking and talks to Sarah…"
"She hits a wall, because even the gallery can't identify you."
I turn on my side to face him.
"Exactly. We may have done the impossible."
"You did it, baby. Hopefully we can move on.”
"Yeah. Berlin is in three months," I say quietly.
"You going to go? To the opening?"
"Yeah, I think so. I enjoyed listening to people talking about my work and trying to figure out who I am."
"It could work in our favor as we can build your portfolio while we are there. A new country may give you different inspiration," he says.
"Thats a good idea."
Between the crime scene hunts in San Diego, I've been documenting other subjects, homeless encampments, abandoned buildings, the faces of people who've given up. A second body of work, darker and rawer than the first.
The cycle continues.
"Get some sleep. Tomorrow we fly home and start building the next phase."
I close my eyes, happy in the comfort that it’s all working out.
When we return to San Diego on Sunday, the apartment feels different when we walk in. Smaller. Like we've outgrown it in the three days we've been gone.
As I start to unpack, my phone buzzes with an email from Sarah Vance.
RB,
Final numbers from the opening are 10 pieces sold, $40,000 total. Petra Hoffman from Berlin has formally requested contact to discuss the European exhibition. She's very interested and I’ve explained your situation with anonymity, which she is fine with.
Also, I'm getting inquiries from collectors about future work. Any chance you have more pieces available?
Let me know your thoughts.
Best,
Sarah
I show Dom the email.
"Time for the second portfolio," he says. "We've been building it anyway, you might as well monetize it."
"Berlin first. Then we see what else develops."
"Agreed."
That night, I open my laptop and start researching. Art forums. Reddit threads. Gallery gossip sites.
I search for "RB" and "Void Gallery" and "Sacred Moments." The results are immediate.
A Reddit thread in r/ContemporaryArt,Who is RB?
Saw the exhibition at Void Gallery. Work is amazing but the artist is completely anonymous. Gallery won't say anything beyond "prefers privacy." Anyone know who this is?
