I would never let anyone tell me what I’m allowed to paint.
Imagine an art gallery that will only take select paintings from you. They select certain more mainstream images, while you are more of an abstract painter. At the same time, they require a contract that doesn’t allow you to show your work in other local galleries.
What kind of wishy washy artist do you have to be to allow someone else to dictate your public voice? This is not about art, it is about making money for that gallery. It is not about your art at all, it is about their brand.
They are thinking about maximizing their profits. Part of that is how much they have to pay you. Their main goal is not promoting you.
Put the shoe on the other foot, and find a venue that will work for you.
More and more musicians have found that this has meant working for themselves. They become their own producer record label.
People have found success in many different ways, and people define success differently.
I told my son yesterday that I would rather never sell a painting again than lose my creative autonomy.
Art is not stagnant. You don’t have to keep doing what you did ten years ago, even if people liked it. You are allowed to grow, and change. You are allowed to discover new things about yourself and new things that you love. You are allowed to take your art to uncomfortable places. You are allowed to take risks.