The traits of an emerging artist
The general definition is that an emerging artist is a practicing artist who is at the beginning of her/his career and may have been spotted by a gallery or an art critic but he/she is not established yet in the arts scene.
While some argue that the term “emerging” refers exclusively to young arts graduates that are trying to find their place into the arts community locally, nationally and even internationally, others say that “emerging” could refer to mature students too or to anyone who wants to pursue a career in fine arts, whatever their age, status and circumstances.
Some people may have a degree in arts but followed a different career only to return to arts later in life. Some might have had a career break to raise a family while other may return to arts during their retirement as a lifelong dream.
Vincent van Gogh was an emerging artist too
If you doubt the “emerging” status next to an artist’s name, just think that every single famous artist was once at the beginning of their career. Vincent van Gogh has exhibited his work for the first time in the late 1880s and although he was not widely appreciated during his lifetime, he gained the respect and friendship of many artists including Degas, Gauguin and Pissarro.
We all know the story that he sold only one painting during his lifetime, yet Van Gogh’s paintings are amongst the most expensive artworks ever sold, following his death. But above all, Van Gogh is considered the founder of modern art, one of the most important legacies alongside his works that we all know and admire today.
Yes, some artists had more success during their lifetime than others in the past, but the myth of pauper struggling artist starts to fade slowly and be replaced by many other possibilities artists have nowadays, from teaching arts, organising workshops and taking part in group exhibitions, to selling online, licensing their art and doing solo shows.
Why invest in an emerging artist?
Firstly, the best way to spot emerging artists is by visiting graduate shows, local group exhibitions, solo début shows as well as browsing online art galleries who promote and encourage artists that are at the beginning of their career. These artists have the talent, curiosity to experiment and the drive to establish themselves in the arts world; therefore they will appreciate any acknowledgement from collectors and admirers.
When investing in an emerging artist because you like their art and you believe in their future success, you will make a great contribution to their career. Their artwork will be affordable for anyone to buy and enjoy but it may also be a good investment for the future.
By investing in an emerging artist you will have the chance to follow their career and see how their style develops over time. Those first attempts to create art are often overlooked by critics, but there are so many examples in the arts history when those very first attempts are often indicators of where it all started. Just like Van Gogh’s first drawings, which were once disregarded, they are now considered his first masterpieces.
