When artist call themselves high-end artists in art show world?
How many times I hear this from other artists and I ask my friends what that suppose to mean. When it comes to jewelry does that mean the artist works only with gold, platinum and diamonds and that make sense. So how those that play in other mediums. Does quality of craft and skills counts in being high-end artists? Why do you call yourself high-end artist?
In photography, which is my area I practice, I really do not see that in art fairs world. Anyone with the right equipment can produce a large print (48X96). Printing in metal or acrylic does make you a high-end photographer. Using high framing materials does that make you high-end artist.
So because you have big item with high price does that make you high-end. Does success make you high-end artist. What about those yard artists?
Look at ceramics, more detail in piece makes more special but does that make you high end artist.
So my question to you, why you call yourself I high end because price alone does not make it. To me high-end is more when I walk to that store with the cyan little box.
Comments
"Well,...you keep coming back each year". That was a comment I received from a fellow exhibitor many many years ago. In the context of my self-perceived standing at this and other shows I knew what he meant, and he knew I knew what he meant: "Your work is nice, very nice, but I wouldn't want to be in your shoes trying to make a living off this stuff." In the context of "art" as generally, but not categorically, understood ("non-utilitarian" and not directly referring to something that is) when something obviously conforms to a universally understood notion of beauty (perceived as such across cultures) and yet seems difficult to imagine owning for one's self, then we are starting to move into the realm of "high end", at least in our world here on the street. We are also entering the realm of having rocks in the head for trying to do something like this on the street. The alternative is the gallery system which is overwhelmingly run by sociopaths and plays to an audience of cultural/economic criminals that consumes art, and souls, in that order. To make a complex issue simple: If you ain't hurt'n, you ain't high.
Larry Sohn wrote
To me this is the real meaning of 'high end'.
I am high end as far as outdoor art fairs are concerned. Small originals start at $1,250 and rarely do we have something for less, unless it's a study, which is rare. But $1,250 is low-end in other art markets. And for what I do and how I do it, I'm probably not asking enough money. I feel the future potential for the work is strong, kinda like the stock market. But my reason for creating art the way I do in the first place isn't because I think I can sell it for a higher price. Selling and pricing is secondary to challenging myself with pushing and digging deeper into artistic principles. Asking a higher price usually means it takes longer to sell. That's not always the case with my lower end work, the work I'm selling for $1,250. It's in high demand. It disappears rather quickly. Demand drives up the price.
In photography, printing large, on metal on acrylic face mounting, does NOT make one "high end". I just came from a gallery of the works of a photographer who writes up he is the "Ansel Adams of _________________, photography" His work is B&W, large prints, landscapes. However I saw a very obvious manipulation and flaw done by using a 'Photoshop" type software to clone in/ out areas. This piece was $3,000. Others may call that high end. Too me it is not.
Also, despite the rules, I've found many do no do there own printing / mounting, when it comes to large size metal or acrylic face mounting, at the shows.
Perhaps "High End" has become the new terminology to separate the common from the true artist.
In my world, the term "crafter" as in leather crafter carries the connotation of part time, non-professional, and ameature. High-end saddle makers have always been considered as artists, even in the 19th century shops. They were and are those who are heads and shoulders above the rest in their abilities as mechanics and designers.
Artist?? What is the difference between that and high end "crafters"? I do hand blown glass, so every piece is one kind. Am I now an "artist"? If price is the measure, I will never be HIGH END, nor do I care to be. I am satisfied with what, and where I am in my life
Pricing, One-of-a-kind work, exclusive clientele, meant to discourage the "tire kickers".
I CALL myself an artist, but many people don't think so. With my woodwork they call me a "crafter" and usually speak down their nose as they do it.
My prices are low to mid range.
Many people call themselves artists, too. That doesn't make them one. For me, when I say high end, I am talking about $1200 and up. It is strictly about price. I consider my work to be mid-range meaning most of my pieces go for between $200 and $800. It depends on the medium. Mid-range for glass goes up to $5000. High end is anything over that, which is the price the top eschelon glass guys get in the galleries. I may be even a little low on that. $10,000 may be the starting point for high end glass, these days.
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