20 DECEMBER 2008, Page 113

From Mark Coreth Q. I have recently had an incredibly

successful show at the Sladmore, selling nearly 100 bronzes. In view of the credit crunch and most peoples’ reduced circumstances, I don’t like to seem boastful or insensitive when people ask me how I have done, but I would like to suggest my success. What do I say ? A. Depersonalise your success by treating it as an uplifting sign in the encircling gloom. Deflect the achievement away from yourself by marvelling: ‘I just don’t know how my dealer did it. He managed to sell nearly 100 bronzes. It’s very encouraging news, isn’t it? For everyone.’