I've been thinking back and forth on this recent preparation for a group art exhibition, where I decided to participate in. I'm new to all this, so lots of thoughts popped up.
First, the thought of even selling (or putting a price tag) on an original piece of artwork (whether there is a buyer, whether its good or not) was rather painful or sad.
but Why (some may ask)? Since I'm from the design industry, it's not new to the thought of creating ideas and then selling for commercial purpose. Creativity is useful when it has a value and can be traded. Designers are being paid to create [although the thought of a price tag on something priceless (like your ideas churned out by your brain cells) still applies].
But as an artist, it seems different...
Perhaps every line lives a thought, a feeling, or an experience or expression.
Perhaps putting a price tag on it, it feels like a commodity.
Perhaps the worry of rights once its sold.
Perhaps it was not intentionally created for sale in the first place.
Perhaps its priceless to the creator - it being a personal piece or part of a personal journey.
Perhaps its not possible to reproduce an exact piece so its one of a kind.
Perhaps 'Art for Art's Sake' ~ sounds priceless and timeless.
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Artist still sells, so, there must be good (or win win) reasons why...and so i probed my pea brains.
Perhaps the beauty of it comes when ~ a friendship between the buyer and seller, the artist and the curator, the fellowship and network blossoms...
Perhaps if we see art more like a bridge, it won't feel like a detachment, more so an extension.
Perhaps it encourages an externalization of internal growth to a broader outward growth
Perhaps it may reach a bigger audience who appreciates art
Perhaps it may encourage oneself to keep going
Perhaps it provokes others to look at reality and life differently
Perhaps it increases the value ~ from being a commodity to a tool to begin other collaborations with
As for the art trade, it seems largely dependent on a couple of factors like:
Resourcefulnes/power of network for sponsorship, fellowship for learning, sharing and support, right timing and condition, and luck and fate.
Other factors that plays an influence is: How financially secure an artist is, how well connected one is to the art market/collectors.
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Is this how a musician feels when they compose, or how a writer feels when they publish, how a dancer feels when they perform, a teacher who gives apart of themselves to each one they nurture?
Can an artist continue to create art for art's sake, or for survival. or both? And stay true?
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Finally, I put my personal remark.
As an amateur artist/art creator or an observer of artists, it feels like, no amount can measure up to the hardwork and effort, sweat and practice, the countless layers within that journey, the flow of love and pride, that goes into each piece. No matter how many bridges it builts, it remains something priceless and personal .. alike many service oriented jobs out there too....which is almost all jobs i guess.
So perhaps the pricelessness comes because the creator knows ~ this cycle of creation ~ is beyond one entity. It is beyond time, logic or reasons that the heart, mind and spirit follows or flows with. It starts as a seed which grows to become something immeasureable, and it comes with will, but it can also go freely, with or without our permission. A combination of factors synergized to enable this moment of creation.
Perhaps even if an art piece was sold, nobody could truly buy the essence of it ~ which encompasses the energy, the emotions, the spirit, the presence, the state of awareness of the one who creates/created it, together with perhaps other things that are beyond words.
Perhaps it is this knowingness that makes it priceless no matter the price tag... and so the humble artist continues to do this service without asking anything in return.
