Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Artists Looking to Leave the Struggle

September 15, 2009 by Marion Maneker

The Guardian asks why so many artists–musicians as well as visual artists–live outside the UK.

London-born Steve McQueen, who represented Britain at the Venice Biennale this year (and won huge acclaim for his 2008 film Hunger), lives in Amsterdam. Glaswegian artist Douglas Gordon is in Berlin, as are Tacita Dean and Ceal Floyer […] artist Chris Ofili lives in Trinidad, as does the painter Peter Doig. The list goes on. Is this a brain drain?

Turns out the problem is the day-to-day culture of the British Isles, more for the musicians than the painters:

Repeatedly, the artists I spoke to used the same words when talking about their work in Britain – “struggle” and “fight”, as much for acceptance as for a reasonable standard of living. “I can’t bear that an artist has to constantly justify writing a piece,” says Saunders. “I just cannot bear the language used to talk about art in Britain.” For her, this is about the prevailing discourse – the language used in the media, the place (or non-place) the arts have in Britian’s political life. In Germany, arts coverage has a seriousness many feel is rare in the UK. “I didn’t want to stick around convincing people the arts were a good thing,” Ayres says. “I wanted to live in a place where there was more money and approval for what I do – why fight when there are other countries?” Hodges agrees: “I have every respect for artists who stay at home and fight the fight, but I feel lucky that I have something more secure.” Dean says: “In England everything was a struggle. The struggle has gone out of my life.”

Artists in Exile (Guardian)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Understanding the Abu Dhabi Art FairUnderstanding the Abu Dhabi Art Fair
  • Not Interested in Naked BruniNot Interested in Naked Bruni
  • ABMiami: Toning Down & Spreading OutABMiami: Toning Down & Spreading Out
  • Gagosian: New York's Dominance WaningGagosian: New York's Dominance Waning
  • 2 x 200 Wants You to Own Art2 x 200 Wants You to Own Art
  • How to Make Your Art an InvestmentHow to Make Your Art an Investment

Filed Under: Artists Tagged With: Featured

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor