As an artist, it’s almost always been my experience that the artist pays to ship work TO the gallery, and the gallery pays to ship it back (if it didn’t sell). As a gallery, we wanted to try paying for the shipping both ways to reduce the burden on the artist, but have quickly realized why galleries don’t do it, so we’re rethinking the model.

It’s the artist’s responsibility. The gallery is putting up the rest of the costs of the exhibition (rent, staffing, reception etc)

I manage a gallery. The artist pays to ship their stuff to the gallery. If it’s sold, the gallery pays to ship to customer. If it doesn’t sell, I think it’s up to discussion if the artist arranges collection/shipping or the gallery does.