In a heartfelt plea, an artist in their 30s has expressed deep concerns about the diminishing respect for art and artists in contemporary culture, exacerbated by the rise of generative AI and the exhausting demands of social media. The artist, who experienced a decline in opportunities due to the pandemic and personal challenges, now grapples with whether to abandon their creative pursuits altogether.
The Struggle for Recognition in a Digital Age
Before the pandemic, the artist enjoyed a steady stream of opportunities, but Covid-19, coupled with political and personal upheavals, shattered their professional and social networks. This loss of contacts and time for networking has left them feeling isolated and uncertain about their future in the art world.
Their artistic style has evolved over time, becoming less conceptual and more narrative-driven, aiming for greater accessibility. Despite this shift, a moment of genuine connection—such as surprising a local cashier with an illustration—stands out as a rare, fulfilling highlight in recent months. Yet, doubts persist about their ability to move people with their art.
The Toll of Social Media and AI Fears
The artist describes social media as a draining necessity, requiring hours of effort with little reward, while generative AI looms as a threat, with models trained on artists' work without consent. Financial instability adds to the strain, as they pour their soul into art that yields minimal income, raising questions about sustainability given finite energy and health.
Seeing even established artists struggle in this environment has led to existential questioning: "What's the point?" The artist feels that art, along with cartoonists and illustrators, is no longer valued in today's culture, prompting them to consider giving up entirely.
Eleanor Gordon-Smith's Advice: Rediscovering Intrinsic Motivation
In response, advice columnist Eleanor Gordon-Smith urges the artist to reflect on their original reasons for creating art, likely rooted in childhood passion rather than financial gain or acclaim. She acknowledges the demoralising impact of lacking money, cultural esteem, or industry success but emphasises that these factors were not the initial driving force.
Gordon-Smith suggests separating the decision to make art a career from the choice to create at all. The first is a financial consideration, requiring pragmatic assessment of stability and risks, while the second revolves around personal fulfillment and the intrinsic joy of artistic expression.
Measuring Success Beyond Metrics
She highlights the artist's own story of recognition from the cashier as evidence that reaching people transcends digital footprints or industry metrics. While marketing pressures impose standards like impressions and audience size, Gordon-Smith encourages measuring success in human terms—such as lives touched, days brightened, and meaningful moments created.
Ultimately, she poses a final question: should one keep making art despite financial uncertainty, algorithmic indifference, and cultural carelessness? Her implied answer is a resounding yes, rooted in the inherent value of creativity itself.
This edited exchange underscores a broader crisis in the arts, where technological advances and economic pressures challenge traditional notions of respect and purpose, urging artists to reconnect with their core motivations.
