Releasing the Struggling Artists

Despite Steve Cohen recently buying a Picasso for $155m, the last few years have been tough for artists. I have had a little insight into this as I started renting a studio at the Wimbledon Art Studios three years ago. Twice a year, they hold an exhibition and the artists open their doors for the public. More than 140 artists have their work on display. I have participated in three shows and it has been an interesting experience.

I walk away each time very grateful that I am not dependent on sales for my food (I would be a very very thin man). Of the thousands of people who flutter past the door over the four days (think how long spending 5 minutes in 140 artists studios would take), perhaps 20-30 a day come in. Some have no intention to buy and are just looking, and then the artist needs to strike a chord with a viewer. Art is even more extreme and personal than food... taste is a very individual thing. The artist is caught between wanting to make money and wanting to do their art. There is a strong temptation to start producing stuff which is popular. There isn't complete freedom to create.

The question is - why should there be? We moan about Olympic athletes who struggle for four years unnoticed. We complain about Women's cricket and Test cricket not getting the support they need while all the money goes to football. There are many athletes, artists, actors, singers, storytellers etc. etc. bubbling to get out. Money is pure democracy. One dollar one vote. Doesn't mean it is good, it means it is what people want. Not what they say they want, what they actually want.

Perhaps 50-100 years from now (maybe sooner?), technology will have continued its march forward and we will have reached the situation where we can start releasing the artists and the athletes. When the Industrial Age moves to the Information Age moves to the Artistic Age?

There is a long way to go to conquer basic needs, but it is exciting to think what could come next.