Art is for Everyone: Artists Don’t Owe You Affordability

A while back, I made an instagram post about a counterfeit version of an art piece I created with a friend being pedaled by Temu. Well… not exactly a “counterfeit version” so much as Temu using our original photos and then mailing buyers A PRINTED PHOTO of what they thought they were ordering. Hilarious, honestly.

The post has since racked up over 1 million views and the comments are divided between “that’s what they get, Temu is trash” and “what did you expect, the original is too expensive?”

One comment in particular stuck with me.

“Art is not a luxury, art is for everyone.” I’ve heard that phrase “art is for everyone” a lot, generally tossed around by people who are trying to copy or steal the intellectual property of others.

I get it, your fourth grade teacher told you that and it stuck with you… but as Inigo Montoya famously said, “I don’t think that means what you think it means.”

“Art is for everyone” doesn’t mean that artists owe you accessibility or affordable pricing. True, most of us really try. I personally have stickers, prints, tote bags, a Patreon and so much more in an effort to make my work accessible to anyone that wants a little piece of it. I get it, I’m poor too and I definitely can’t afford most of my friend’s originals.

I WANT people to buy my work but I also need to feed myself. That means my work is priced at a rate that pays for my healthcare, my supplies, my time, expertise, years of toil, and vet bills for a tiny dog who is a picky eater. I wish I could charge less but apartments in LA aren’t exactly budget-friendly.

The Crimson Orchard: Two Artists, One Shared Mythology

But let’s get back to that phrase.

What “Art is for everyone” actually means is that ANYONE can create and enjoy art regardless of their age, gender, race, nationality, or sexual orientation. (The gays make some of the best art, but you’ve seen Chappell Roan so you already know that).

Accessibility is not the same thing as ownership. That’s why many galleries are free and museums are subsidized for local residents. No one is entitled to an original Van Gogh, but they are welcome to come have a look. Instagram is free.

You can go to my website and look at my art. Hell, go ahead and project it on your wall for a little ambience during parties, but that doesn’t mean you get to OWN it without compensating me, the artist who made it, a real person trying to survive. The truth is, if you want to keep seeing the cool things I make at some point you’re going to have to show up and support me with your dollars or I won’t be able to keep creating what you love.

I personally believe art IS for everyone. It’s why I make art, to connect and to share how I see the world. Unfortunately, we all exist within capitalism so that also means that unique, original, handcrafted art IS a luxury, and I will not be apologizing for that.

Andrea Guzzetta

Andrea Guzzetta is a Los Angeles-based artist originally from the Midwest. Diagnosed with ADHD late in life, she has worked as a muralist, art teacher to young children, and stained glass painter for many years. She used to be part of a podcast about cults (Cult Podcast) and did stand-up comedy for 5 years performing all over the USA and even Paris, France.