When an artist creates, inspiration comes for all possible sources: internal thoughts, emotions or external influence of people, sights, sounds, places or, yes, things. And fine art is a “thing” that generates comments, responses and reflection. At the moment the artist completes a work, the bold move of pushing the work out for acceptance sets a precedent for the artist. Will someone like it or not, or in the function of fine art for collectors, will it be liked enough to be acquired? And for what price? When the work sells, artists recognize a mild achievement – acceptance.
Some artists restrict how the work can be acquired and more so where the work can be displayed. In Denver, the city has the honor (or horror) of meeting Clyfford Still’s wishes that his body of works be housed in 1 formal museum dedicated solely to his works. No other city offered as Denver to house his works. The following for his works with collectors seemed limited – but highly regarded. Of course, Still ultimately was not looking for gallery involvement in furthering his career. Perhaps a presence of a museum will create an active market for his works – but most likely for only the elite and not the masses.
