Embracing Conflict: The Key to Success in the Art World
It’s a tale as old as time – the fear of being a flash in the pan. Even the great Jean-Michel Basquiat himself worried about his own fleeting success, as documented in Andy Warhol’s diary back in 1983. The conflict between fleeting fame and long-term success is a constant source of anxiety for artists, publishers, and promoters alike.
Andy Warhol reassured Basquiat that he wouldn’t be just a flash in the pan, but the underlying fear remained. What if the fame fades, the money dries up, and the rent goes unpaid? It’s a scenario that strikes fear into the hearts of many in the art world.
But perhaps, as Fred Wilson suggests, this conflict is not something to be avoided, but embraced. Without conflict, there is no interest. It is the push and pull between success and failure that keeps us motivated, drives us to create, and ultimately leads to our best work.
So next time you find yourself wrestling with conflicting thoughts and fears, remember – it’s all part of the process. Embrace the conflict, dance with it, and let it fuel your creativity. After all, as the saying goes, without a little conflict, there can be no art.