How has the art market changed with technology over the past decades?

Technology has transformed the art market in multiple ways. On the photography side, cameras used to be expensive, required film and processing, then shifted to digital, costs came down, and now everyone has a camera in their pocket via smartphones. For artists generally, the market used to be limited to either the gallery model or in-person shows and fairs. With the internet, artists can now sell direct to consumers. Print-on-demand for both wall art and merchandise has further expanded possibilities. As a result, there are currently more artists and photographers worldwide selling their work on more different product types than at any time in history. This democratization is positive but also means the competition and supply of art available is nearly inexhaustible, making it harder for any individual artist to get attention.

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Asked by general teaching point · Answered by Patrick Shanahan · art-marketing-podcast · 2025-01-23