Historically, art and artists have been intricately intertwined, with many people feeling art is a reflection of the artist. However, there may be occasions when a person wants to admire a work of art while distancing oneself from the artist responsible for it, especially when the artist has been involved in questionable behavior or actions. There are many examples of artists publicly displaying their offensive and harmful opinions. Can people really support art without supporting the artist’s character and actions?
Focusing on the art itself while acknowledging the artist’s harmful actions is one way to detach the art from the creator. It is possible to concentrate on the artwork and its message rather than the artist as a whole. Appreciating the art’s ingenuity, skill, and beauty allows you to recognize and celebrate the art without condoning the artist’s acts or behavior.
Buying used copies of the artist’s work is another method to support the art without supporting the creator because it assures that the artist does not directly profit from your purchase. Instead, your money is given to the reseller of the artwork. That way, you can admire the art without financially supporting the artist whose behavior you may disagree with. Alternatively, you can support the art by finding other artists who produce similar work. This is particularly important when it comes to artists who have been involved in problematic behavior, as it sends a message that you do not condone their actions. Look for artists who share similar themes, styles, or messages.
It’s worth noting that, while it’s conceivable to separate the art from the artist, it’s not always doable. When the art is directly tied to the artist’s bad behavior, for example, it may be difficult to admire the art without condoning the artist’s activities. In these circumstances, it is up to the individual to decide if they can continue to support the work.
It is possible to support art without supporting the artist, but it takes conscious effort to do so. You can appreciate and support the art without supporting the artist whose behavior you may disagree with by focusing on the art itself, purchasing second-hand copies, or discovering comparable artists. While it is not always simple to separate art from the artist, it is critical to make a decision that is consistent with your values and views.