Felipe Hueb

The Dark Side of Online Art Platforms: Are Artists Getting Ripped Off?

As an artist, I am constantly on the lookout for ways to showcase and sell my work to a wider audience. Online art platforms seem like the perfect solution – they offer a global reach and the potential for significant sales. However, there is growing concern that these platforms may not be as artist-friendly as they claim to be.

Many online art platforms take a commission on sales, which is understandable – they provide a service and should be paid for it. However, there have been reports that some platforms are not being transparent about their commissions, or worse, not passing on the full amount to the artist. This can be devastating for an artist who has put a lot of time, effort, and emotion into creating a piece of art, only to find out that they are not being fairly compensated for it.

Another issue is the lack of transparency around the sales process. Many platforms do not provide detailed information about the buyer, which makes it difficult for the artist to build a relationship with their audience or to follow up on potential sales. Additionally, some platforms do not provide information about how their algorithms work or how they choose which works of art to feature on their homepage or social media accounts. This can leave artists feeling like they are at the mercy of the platform's whims, rather than in control of their own destiny.

Finally, there is the issue of ownership and control. Some platforms require artists to give up certain rights to their work in order to use the platform, which can limit their ability to sell or exhibit their work elsewhere. This lack of control can leave artists feeling powerless and vulnerable.

As an artist, I want to be able to trust the platforms that I use to showcase and sell my work. I want to know that I am being fairly compensated and that my work is being presented to the widest possible audience. I also want to retain control over my work and my career. Until these issues are addressed, it's important for artists to do their research and carefully consider which platforms they choose to use.