Calling out Exploitation in the Arts Industry

Exploitation is such a dominant factor in the arts industry.

So much so that ive turned my back on the UK Arts Industry and dared to make a lot of income actually outside the sector. im a mid career artist with a lot of accolades, so i can have my opinion on this.

I still champion artists and commit to platform them but you'd be shocked to see what some large institutions have offered me over the years for my work and time.

I always talk about the fact that i spend thousands to make shows, tours and exhibitions happen, but the first 7 years of my career was full of unpaid work, effort, labour, burnout and promises of exposure that resulted in me having to quit and take a 6 week sabbatical in Spain to get my head straight.

the culture is crazy making. extreme demands, scrutiny and stretched resources, time and respect. now im outside of the industry (i.e. working for others in the arts) i see how horrifying the conditions and contracts can be.

exploitation is all about jealousy and envy for truly talented artists.

if you really respect, connect and see my art you wouldn't try to trick me and siphon my energy. you either pay or say you can't afford it. you don't try to play tricks on divine beings if you really respect what they do as a profession.

 

i always pay my collaborators decent wages on working days (i don't even pay London living wage, i personally pay hundreds for their day rate) because i know artists are exceptionally skilled at making things look good on the surface when they are seriously struggling financially.

i had to unlearn so much, learn about finance and face my broke artist guilt when i finally started making a lot of money. i had to negotiate + challenge people paying me, because i kno i definitely deserve so much.

but even then, being expected to be grateful for the bare minimum. it's great that jo is calling out exploitation for what it is because it lives and exists in all areas of the arts industry, regardless of genre, medium, artform. as an interdisciplinary artist I've seen the same pennypincher culture firsthand in many art spaces and it is shocking.

that's why i go so hard to be a rich and abundant artist that's independent from the industry. and break that exploitation curse 4 myself and for others.

everyday im blessed that it's happening for me on my own terms. only with god
let's go

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