Exposure or Taking Advantage

There is an increasing expectation for free art (visual and written) in exchange for (often mythical) exposure. Hell, I’ve been asked for it. And in early people-pleasing naivety, I’ve done it. Now, with a fair bit of experience, I have to ask (as should you if approached),

dae a look like a’m buttoned up the back?

How can one claim to value and support artists, yet expect to be given it (often to sell) for free?

This work in exchange for exposure does not support artists; it takes advantage of them. Any business that collects work from artists in such a manner is highly suspect. If the exposure is so good, they should be able to pay for the work, right?

Those who seek this exchange don’t value the time and energy it takes to create. They don’t care about the artist or the art if they don’t respect it enough to pay for the crafting of it.

I’ve been asked before (and know many other independent writers and artists get this too) where the best place to buy my work is. The only way to be sure the artist is getting paid is to buy from them directly. It’s always a bit more personal, too.

Call me crazy, but imagine walking into a jewellery store and offering to take away their priciest diamond necklace—saying you’ll wear it to help the store gain ‘exposure’ if they give it to you for free. It is theft.

Asking for (and expecting) work for exposure is creative exploitation of the artist. This is not a professional approach to business. This approach exposes the business as one that lacks integrity or respect for the artist whose work it wants to use to build or prop itself on. This ‘business’ is full of grifters, chancers, shameless swindlers.

Artists work hard, we sacrifice, we lose our minds sometimes, and many of us under charge for the hours and blood we pour in. If you want to be sure the artist is getting paid when you pick up their work, buy direct from them when you can. This way, you can almost be sure no one is in the middle taking advantage or shaving a lump off for doing nothing to actually create the work.