Dollar Sign - 1981
Total bs. The next time someone suggests that business has no place in art – or someone tells you that its a good idea to have a “backup” for your creative vision of making a living – recall the example of the most successful businessman in the history of art: Andy Warhol.
He famously said, “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.” Warhol’s business was reportedly worth $700 Mil by the time of his death in 1987.
Warhol got his start selling product illustrations to advertisers and department stores. He was really good at it and achieved a high level of commercial success before he became a pop art icon by bending linear thoughts of consumerism into an artistic pretzel. He intentionally blurred the line between commerce and art. He was never afraid of business – he actually saw it as part of his art. And to that end – his art has proven to be very good business. In fact, according to the Economist his work accounted for 17% of all auction sales in 2010 for $313m. This was a 229% increase over 2009 sales and proved his art to be recession proof in a big way. The market for Warhol’s art has outperformed the Dow Jones growth in the past 25 years – by a long shot.
So is it a coincidence that the most successful businessman in the history of art actually saw the business itself as part of the art? Would he be surprised by this continued success and ROI for his collectors? Certainly not.
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This post was inspired by Seth Godin’s blog post here via @goodchemist
I find running my business an exciting and extremely creative process that draws on my artistic skills for sure. As a child I tried setting up newspapers and running pirate radio stations, always thinking about how I could try and make a little money at it. Today I’m still on the same path succeeding with my photography.
Beautiful and I love the quote “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.” I am a big backer of business and art working hand-in-hand.
Great post Chase. And super pertinent right now. I know many tortured artists/photographers that perceive any bit of business success as an indication of selling out, and shunning one’s “pure artistic roots”. Before you know it, they’re jaded, bitter and cynical, and I think much of the time, their product suffers because they simply can’t afford to let their mind wander, and their creative juices flow.
While income is neither the end all/be all of photography, not the sole indicator of success as a photographer, it certainly is the foundation of a solid business whether you’re selling hot dogs on the street, or showing your book to the next hopeful client.
Saying is not the same as doing. If you have a pure artistic mind- your brain may not be wired to market & sell your work.
Some are just too introvert. Selling after all is a skill itself.
Andy Warhol is an exceptional case of being able to do both. Maybe he is an alien in disguise as portrayed in MIB3. LOL
It happens in all business, but yes art there is more.