Should We Separate the Art from the Artist?
In every work of art we have today, no matter if it is a painting, a film, a photograph (and so on), a creator is the beginning. No matter the medium, an individual or sometimes many individuals are involved in the creation of the work. Actors, singers, songwriters, directors, painters, and many others who each have their hands on the project or the work. Problems do arise with this fact. Think about Kanye. In 2022 (and probably before) Kanye got “cancelled” (for lack of better words) for a long thread of antisemitic remarks made on his social media. Tweets about him wanting to kill Jewish people and others resulted in him being condemned by the public and dropped by his label and many companies with whom he had brand deals. He has yet to make a return and I honestly doubt he ever will.
With all of this in mind, are you still able to throw on the tune “Gold Digger” on your way to work and feel just fine? This is a large debate amongst my generation. Should we separate the art from the artist? Are we allowed to? If we do, are we ignoring their wrong doings? Does it still promote them by giving them more publicity or financial gain? Some people say that it is fine to see past an artist’s problematic history (or future for those who will not ever change) but I stand on the opposite side of the road. Sometimes (most times) the art is too entangled with the artist and can very easily be soiled by the knowledge of their wrong doings. My mom always told me, “Your money and time is your vote”, and in promoting a terrible person’s work, spending money to see it, or even using your time to listen to it, you are voting for them no matter their issues. The relationship between the artist and art is too intertwined to ignore.
Some argue that once a work is made, it is no longer attached to the creator and it takes on a life of its own. Others contend that the work can and should stand alone; it is a product and how we interact with it is what matters. When we interact with a piece it takes on a new meaning. This is a popular concept in art and literature commonly called “Death of the author” theory. For example, Egon Schiele, a painter, who is often praised for his “raw vulnerability” and his “psychological depth” as well as being celebrated for the artistic values of his work (i.e. form and shade etc). Yet his troubled past, including inappropriate relationships with women and minors, abusing power dynamics with his models who he selected from the lower class, and an arrest for indecency, were all things that directly involved the making of his art. Yet, he is still uplifted today with his works being shown in museums including the Leopold Museum in Vienna where people pay to view his paintings and take photos of them which they post about and so on. These actions unveil an uneasy truth: that it is okay to ignore the issues if the work is beautiful and celebrated by most. This separation is problematic, as it endorses bad behavior and excuses artists or creators from responsibility, while simultaneously benefiting them financially or culturally or publicly. How long will we let this go on?
We should not separate the art from the artist; the relationship is too intertwined to ignore. By endorsing or “voting” with our time, money, energy and more, we are giving these people a platform to continue their actions with no repercussions. P. Diddy, a music producer, head of one of the biggest Rap and R&B labels of the time (Bad Boy Records) has recently come under scrutiny for his past of sex trafficking, coercion, abuse, and rape (just to name a few). His work did help shape hip hop of the time and furthered it into what we know it as today; I will admit that. But continuing to promote him, listen to him, celebrate him, is like shaking hands hands with a criminal and saying, “hey it’s okay that you beat women, I really like this song by Cassie though.” Excusing his crimes by honoring and indulging in any of the music he had his hands on, we are sending the message to not only him but to everyone that success, and beauty overlooks crimes, abuse, and maltreatment; and that is not a message I will be sending.
Art is powerful. All shapes and sizes, all forms and mediums, powerful in its own ways. In consuming and celebrating different arts, we are “voting” for the values we uplift and hold true. In instances like P. Diddy, Kanye, or Egon, it’s not just about a song, a label, or a painting; it is about if the gratification you get is worth overlooking the harm to others behind the scenes. Separating the art form the artist is not just about a preference of what you can ignore, but about accountability; for the creator and for you. In choosing to overlook things just for personal enjoyment we are excusing misconduct. The relationship between the art and the artist cannot be ignored. It will always be intertwined with the haunting actions of the creator. Art is powerful but so is your vote. Use your time, money, and effort to support someone who does good in the world. Let us all learn to always keep the art attached to the artist.