More power to you, Jaqueline. It's great to see some well-directed, honest rage!
I can identify with all this from the perspective of an indie novelist (or novelist-to-be, next month!). It's done me a huge amount of good to stop begging for crumbs from publishers who would probably still insist that I did a lot of their job for them.
Substack is helping all sorts of previously unempowered creatives to take control.
This feels like the most logical next thing to do. I've also opted out and am making quiet, sustainable progress toward a goal that's fully outside the gatekeepers' sphere of control.
I was so chastened by my shock at reading about the idea that artists should be paid every time they exhibit their work--my reaction really made me face my internalized...what would be the word...marginalism? as an artist. This is letting the dominant paradigm affect my imagination. Unacceptable!
I’ve been paid stipends to show my work in the past—mostly by progressive non-profit arts orgs. It’s outrageous that at a gallery opening often the only person in the room who isn’t being paid to be there is the artist! There are a few galleries who are trying to disrupt the norm: I know of one that charges an entry fee for the opening reception so the artist can be paid, in recognition that often the art doesn’t sell and that the party and experience of viewing art is something of value. Of course, galleries don’t want to carry the risk of not selling work but that’s their literal job. Artists could (and should imho) start demanding an upfront payment and negotiate a lower commission on a sale. As you say, we’ve been brainwashed into accepting the current system and we all need to be more imaginative.
You're on fire! Preach! 👊🏻
More power to you, Jaqueline. It's great to see some well-directed, honest rage!
I can identify with all this from the perspective of an indie novelist (or novelist-to-be, next month!). It's done me a huge amount of good to stop begging for crumbs from publishers who would probably still insist that I did a lot of their job for them.
Substack is helping all sorts of previously unempowered creatives to take control.
I'm ready! :) xoxo
Loved this, so so much. Thank you.
Thanks Josie, glad you enjoyed it
I’ve never heard of Damien Hirst. Not even going to look him up!
He's the guy who famously stuck a shark in formaldehyde back in the 90s. He's very good at making money!
This feels like the most logical next thing to do. I've also opted out and am making quiet, sustainable progress toward a goal that's fully outside the gatekeepers' sphere of control.
I was so chastened by my shock at reading about the idea that artists should be paid every time they exhibit their work--my reaction really made me face my internalized...what would be the word...marginalism? as an artist. This is letting the dominant paradigm affect my imagination. Unacceptable!
Thanks for a great essay.
I’ve been paid stipends to show my work in the past—mostly by progressive non-profit arts orgs. It’s outrageous that at a gallery opening often the only person in the room who isn’t being paid to be there is the artist! There are a few galleries who are trying to disrupt the norm: I know of one that charges an entry fee for the opening reception so the artist can be paid, in recognition that often the art doesn’t sell and that the party and experience of viewing art is something of value. Of course, galleries don’t want to carry the risk of not selling work but that’s their literal job. Artists could (and should imho) start demanding an upfront payment and negotiate a lower commission on a sale. As you say, we’ve been brainwashed into accepting the current system and we all need to be more imaginative.
Exciting times ahead and I agree time to go with the positive and support each other
Bravo!
Packed with truth bombs! Thank you for writing this
Glad you enjoyed it✨