The Value of Art as a Means of Cultural (and Personal) Expression in an Increasingly Globalised World

Abstract

This thesis sets out to highlight the value of art as a means of cultural expression in a world that is becoming increasingly globalised.

Chapter one gives insight into what the commercial art market is and what it looks like. Discussing the role of large galleries and auction houses and goes into detail into the workings of that world and the artists that have gained big names as well as a lot of money through the way the system works. It also looks at what local art galleries and artist run spaces look like and their role and place in the contemporary art market. Through looking at these two spaces, I aim to give an accurate impression of what the global art world looks like with its strengths and weaknesses.

In chapter two I dissect the intricacies between the artists and their cultural context to highlight the importance of the nationality as well as cultural and personal background of an artist with regards to the artwork they make and the unique voice with which they present their art. In this way, I will create a picture of how you can see and experience the culture and upbringing of an artist through their work. After I have done this, I will reflect on my own personal practice and the fascination I hold with cultures, languages and the expression of a national identity. Through unpacking my practice, I aim to draw importance to learning about various cultures, their unique perspectives and the importance of being able to learn and connect with those cultures to build global connections.

Chapter three aims to highlight ways in which culture can be preserved within the art world and the value of educating young people well on the importance of the nation's past and contemporary art practice. In this chapter I will be looking around travel gallery Scotland also known as art on a bus and projects such as room 13 and the impact that organisations and projects such as those two have had in the shaping and retaining of the local and national art and how they build a bridge bringing in the next generation of contemporary artists.

I will conclude that whilst there are various different aspects to what makes art valuable, personal expression from the standpoint of cultural and personal experiences plays a key point to fighting the commercialisation of art, where art becomes solely about the money that can be earned as opposed to the value it can bring to the people it is created for.