Artists are the only people in the arts community that are not paid*.
*An observation.
Generally, an artist works alone. For this discussion I am talking about painters or sculptors.
I have the perception that society does not value someone who strives to communicate in a ‘pure’ sense1. ‘Get a real job’ et al. Society in general is threatened or confused by abstract concepts. They prefer to see realism. Which is often not so much art as illustration2.
A commercial illustrator’s work can be quantified. The employer has given the illustrator a brief, and the illustrator has given the employer a quote for time and cost. Before the work even begins there is a contract. Measurements and clear expectations.
An artist, however, works alone, may take weeks/months/years to complete a project – which was not requested by any employer. No contract, no measurement.
Once the artist is ready they may approach a gallery. Even if they are already represented by that gallery there is no guarantee they will get a show. If they do, it will fit into the galleries’ schedule, possibly in a year.
It is not inconceivable that the work the artist began will not be seen by anyone for two years. In that time, the artist has had to pay for materials for the work and cover all the usual living expenses, rent, food, utilities, insurances etc. They do not get a tax benefit either.
During that time the gallery owner has been continuously showing other artists’ work. The gallery owner has earned an income during that time. And the gallery assistant, curator, installer, website and social media coordinator (often one person wears many of these hats but nevertheless).
And the supplier and retailer who sold the supplies that the artist used. The delivery people who take the artists’ work to the gallery. The advertising people, the framers, the foundry, any other ancillary trades that may be needed to finish an artists’ work.
As a some-times jeweller, I use a formula to calculate my cost per piece. This allows for all costs associated with that item. The cost of metal at today’s price, stones, stone setting, time spent making, etc. Then I need to double that because gallery markup is typically 50%. As a sculptor, this formula fails, simply because it may take many hours/weeks to complete a piece, and nobody will pay that cost. So I need to reduce my hourly rate, and in doing so, I am not able to cover my outgoings.
Feeling and emotion are not quantifiable.
Most artists work at a loss.
How do they do it? They have a supplementary income. They work in an art shop, or teach, or work as a gardener. Of course this means their studio time is greatly reduced, which means it takes much longer to make a body of work, effectively lessening their income through art.
In 2022 Ireland introduced the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA)3, partly in response to Covid. In 2025 it became permanent. It has more than recouped it’s net cost through arts-related activities.
It does not pretend to be a full salary, but it does give stability and sustainability.
It would be a wonderful thing for Australia, although I am not hopeful. I think we value sports more than culture.
Ultimately, we are all responsible for our decisions about what we do in life. If the need to make art is strong enough, people will find a way. Maybe artists are more likely to be introverts because they are happier on their own making work. Maybe its the personal drive to say something through paint or metal or clay.
I think that making art for money is putting the cart before the horse. It will mean the artist makes weaker work. They will (even unconsciously) make art that they think will sell, or they will be influenced by trends.
I think the way we can respect and support artists is to buy from respected galleries, or directly from the artist where that is possible. And never ask for a discount. And show your support for work you like – a kind word or a quick Instagram post means more than you think. And that’s it. Look at work and reap the rewards that come with engaging with art. And if you are in the position to, buy art. Art will bring a white wall to life, and start conversations.
In so doing you become part of the art world. You enrich it and it, in turn, enriches you. And that’s just as important as money.
- By pure I mean not commercial art and not influenced by market forces. ↩︎
- These are generalisations, and some of the reasons that the art world is so interesting – because there are no absolutes. Where society generally expects clarity and measurements, artists work more with perceptions, intuition, imagination. Left brain, right brain. ↩︎
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/10/ireland-basic-income-for-the-arts-scheme-becomes-permanent ↩︎