Traditionally, elitism and the art world have gone hand in hand. After all, who else could afford million-dollar paintings and sculptures but the ultra-wealthy? Certainly not most middle-class people, to say nothing of those who are barely scraping by. And for average people who opt for a less refined choice — like a Thomas Kinkade for example — nothing but derision awaits.
Exclusivity & The Art World
To put it simply, the art world is designed to keep people outside. If you don’t believe it, try walking into your local art gallery without doing any research. You’ll be met by plenty of questions and almost no answers.
It’s almost as if art gallery assistants live to obfuscate. The lack of transparency and access to information about artwork and artists can be maddening. And don’t even bother asking what similar artwork has been going for. It’s enough to snuff out any interest a curious art lover might have. And if it doesn’t change, the entire art industry is in for an unfortunate future.
Blockchain is Creating a More Transparent Art Industry
Perhaps this is why art NFTs have seen such a boon in the past year. Millions of people who are interested in artwork are finally getting their chance to jump into the art market feet first — without all the confusion and beating-around-the-bush. On the blockchain, transparency and clarity are front and center. Not only can curious collectors find out what similar artwork is selling for, they can see a piece of art’s entire history. And they can find out which artists are growing in popularity versus those who are fading into oblivion.
Blockchain is Creating a More Accessible Art Industry
But NFTs and blockchain haven’t just given collectors unprecedented access to information. They’ve also allowed interested buyers to buy artwork more easily. They no longer have to go through a series of gatekeepers who seem more intent on running people off than helping them find a piece of art that suits them. With the advent of blockchain-based art sales, people have greater access to the art market than ever before. And that’s breaking down the barrier of exclusivity that have hindered novice collectors since the very beginning.
This tsunami of available information is making it easier than ever for collectors to get answers to their most dire questions.
“Will this be a good investment?”
“Am I overpaying for this artist or piece?”
“Which sellers are trustworthy — and which should I avoid like the plague?”
These are the questions that keep art collectors on the outside. Without reliable answers to them, buyers are prone to make costly mistakes. But as the art world becomes flatter and more transparent, these questions will be answerable by a simple online search.
As that future becomes a present-day reality, the exclusivity currently haunting the art world will finally be exorcised. Then, it won’t just be new collectors who will benefit. The entire art industry will.
