The position art plays in capitalist society- an introduction. 

Recently ASE attended a show by an artist whose work focuses on the culture he comes from. This began discourse regarding the blatant intersectionality between ones ethnic culture and art often found in the works of African diasporans. Dig deeper and one finds that culture and art intersects in ways some may ignore it does. 

Art in all its forms has housed the cultures of the world for centuries. For as long as civilisation has existed symbols and drawings have been used to share the authentic and vital messages of the world. Take centuries old West African art such as the Benin heads- or the example of the symbolism used and still seen to decorate the pyramids of Egypt. Art has always existed. These examples also only take art in its general understanding as the word can be further dissected to include other forms of creative expression such as music. In this essay we will focus on art in the 'fine art' sense.

Art is undoubtedly culturally important. As an example it has always been a symbol of wealth especially in general Western and Central European culture- those who have collected art historically have belonged to the bourgeoisie. Taking the British monarchy, their centuries long tradition of depicting themselves through portraiture has allowed historians to study the lineage that existed before, also playing a role in allowing historians to understand the value of art in social class- not in a liquid monetary sense. Again, something which parallels culturally with African monarchal traditions— drawing back to the Benin heads the Head's of Oba (or King) share a similar concept. 

Dissecting arts place in supporting the class systems of history and today may not be the best example to show the cultural value art brings, but nonetheless it does provide evidence to show ONE example of the deserved respect awarded to art as something culturally important. Something often not extended to the artists that create.

There is no money in art. Whilst in a literal sense that is a false statement it is the reality of the majority of artists creating in the world today. There is no money in anything really- the economic fallback plaguing the world has led self-named 'leading' societies such as that of the UK to have a population where the masses are struggling financially, (something which is not a new phenomenon). As of 2023 the median annual salary in the UK was £35000 and when that is compared to the annual average cost of living- the country is rightfully described as being in crisis. So buying art which is often classified as a luxury endeavour would be a business which understandably has taken a hit.

This poses the question of whether culturally significant global accessories such as art, have a fully sustainable position in the capitalist societies of the South and West. One could ask the question if anything has a sustainable position in the capitalist societies of the South and West but for the sake of this essays length 'one' is exclusive of us. Since the COVID 19 pandemic (the most economically damaging global event of the last few decades) the Art Basel and USB Global Art Market report a 4% year-on-year decrease in the art markets annual revenue. The existence of art in society can never disappear due to the role it plays in assisting to highlight the class systems necessary for capitalist society to work. However, like the masses, those who create will undoubtably never benefit equal to those who buy.

Bar the financial aspect a moral argument arises when looking at arts position in a capitalist society. Does the artists intention matter when creating their work or is it morally alright for one to create art purely for financial gain? One needs to survive. And often times a route to survival in capitalism is found through creating art.

In the past few weeks discourse surrounding British Nigerian artist Olaoluslawn arose focusing on his artistic style. Some argued that selling art which may be regarded as minstrel depictions to often white/non black audiences may be ethically wrong. Others argued a buyer is a buyer. When art interacts with the markets capitalism builds then the goal for many arguably understandably becomes to amass profit. Business and art has always intersected but one can argue that in the modern later stage of capitalism that we are living in, the aspect of business may have taken away from the authenticity of art.