Blanko: Why is art expensive?

Blank Book : Collision of Petals
2014
Veronica Laurel Book Art

I sold my books at Art In the Park last March, it was one of my favorite events because there are just so many things to look at but I'm rarely a buyer of art. A friend of mine marveled more on the price tag and less on the actual artwork.

"Why is art expensive?" she asked, it seems that it's something that bothered her and as a writer, letters and words aren't as valued as actual artworks when in essence they are both under the category of art, only with different mediums and discipline.

My Blanko Collection (Blank Books) got sold quite early so by midday, I barely have anything on display.

Centuries ago, art boomed in Europe especially for the Bourgeoisie who must always keep their status afloat. One way of keeping up with the social elites is to purchase art, along with purchasing a customized furniture set from the most famous carpenter. This is where the likes of Chippendale came in, providing special and superb skill in creating furniture. Art has always been a symbol of wealth and taste. It is one of the things to be discussed during tea time, art. What have you purchased? From which artist? How much? Etcetera etcetera...

Today, with the variety of available art and also an array of price tags, almost anyone can enjoy purchasing art and decorating their homes with art that they fancy without caring for social standing. There are so many affordable artworks available today because almost every young talented person wants to become an artist, of course the word "artist" have always been subjected to unholy abuse. There are also those who inflate their prices but most artist would follow a standard set of pricing with their works. 

Art is more than just an object and if a person sees the value of a piece of artwork, it doesn't matter how much it would cost. Suddenly the price is blurred and what surfaces would be the message or idea that the artist is portraying, the skill in execution, ingenuity, and its impact on the person.

Art is not expensive, the price tag is merely a reflection. People who have fat wallets, my artworks are probably very inexpensive but for those who toil each day on minimum wage, it may come as a luxury.