Support Living Artists Now, Not After Their Death, Akintunde Bayo Advises Collectors

Art collectors and cultural institutions have been urged to place greater value on supporting living artists, as global uncertainties continue to reshape the cultural and creative landscape.

Art writer and commentator, Akintunde Bayo, made the call in a reflection on the evolving art market, noting that many artists only receive widespread recognition after their death, long after they struggled for visibility and support during their lifetime.

According to Bayo, history has shown that appreciation for artists often comes late, when their works are already placed in museums and their names firmly written into history.

“Many artists are fully celebrated only after their names are firmly placed in history, their works appear in museums and their prices rise, but those who spend time around artists know this is rarely the case during their lifetime,” he stated.

He explained that behind every celebrated artist was once a period of uncertainty, where creators worked quietly in studios unsure if their works would ever gain attention or recognition.

Bayo noted that belief from collectors, curators and cultural institutions often makes the difference between obscurity and recognition.

Speaking on the relevance of art in challenging times, he stressed that the world is currently facing political tensions, economic instability and rapid technological changes that are transforming how images and creative works are produced and shared.

Despite these developments, he maintained that art becomes even more significant during difficult periods in history.

“While news headlines explain events, artists interpret emotions such as identity, migration, memory, conflict and hope, creating visual records of the times we live in,” Bayo said.

He, however, observed that the art market frequently rewards artists only after their careers have ended, when scarcity of their works drives up value and their life stories are retold as legend.

According to him, such recognition offers little benefit to artists who struggled for support while they were alive.

Bayo therefore urged collectors to take a more intentional role in shaping cultural history by supporting artists whose careers are still evolving.

He explained that meaningful art collections are rarely built overnight but grow gradually through curiosity, patience and genuine interest in developing artistic voices.

For collectors who embrace this approach, purchasing art becomes more than a financial decision.

“Buying work from a living artist means supporting the creative process while it is still evolving and allowing artists to continue experimenting and developing new ideas,” he said.

The writer further revealed that even a single purchase can significantly impact an artist’s career by providing resources for materials, studio space and future projects, while also strengthening their confidence.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital images and artificial intelligence, Bayo added that human creativity remains irreplaceable because artists bring personal experiences, cultural histories and individual perspectives into their work.

He concluded by encouraging collectors not to wait for market consensus before supporting emerging talents, stressing that art must remain a living conversation rather than merely a historical record.

“Buying from living artists ensures they are not only remembered in the future but supported today, when their voices are most needed,” he added.