Gatekeeping. The article is about gatekeeping. Specifically gatekeeping within the art world. There are currently 2 large ‘Gatekeepers’ present for artists and art enthusiasts. Both work in tandem to starve newer artists of a means to promote themselves and show their work. The 2 gatekeepers in question are: Social media algorithms (Parr, 2025) and human art ‘experts’ (Delagrange & Delagrange, 2024).
Let’s start with the humans. The use of the word ‘experts’ earlier refers to decision-makers within the art scene. Think about gallery owners and museums, they have to choose which artworks to present and which to drop. Since they often have their own subjective preferences it becomes difficult for artists that have different styles to ever get featured in such galleries. Not to mention newer artists have no way to compete with more established artists other than the whims of whoever chooses what artworks to display (Delagrange & Delagrange, 2024).
And then we get to social media. Newer artists might want to turn to the internet to share their art. Nowadays everything is available online and there are numerous forums and mediums to share and explore art. Therefore social media brings the possibility for anyone to establish themselves. The problem with that is the fact that algorithms are geared towards showing popular content. An algorithm inherently doesn’t care for artists that might have eccentric styles. Styles that fit with current trends get pushed, others do not. Simple as that. This leaves artists with a choice, keep their style and their own “identity” or lose that identity to copy whatever is popular at the time. Ultimately enjoying more visibility but losing what you really wanted to show (Artists, Gatekeeping, And Social Media Struggles, 2023).
I also gatekept the fact that there is a third form of gatekeeping. And it lies in the eyes of the beholders. At the final step, when your art makes it through the algorithms and is seen by the masses, some of the people will make up whatever excuse to devalue your art. You didn’t go to art school? You’re not a real artist. You make digital art? You’re not a real artist. You used [insert tool here]? You’re not a real artist (Parr, 2025). Every now and then you might see one of these comments and it’s truly disappointing to think there are still purists like that. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion but such views are outdated and harmful. Such comments are in no way constructive criticism and are therefore completely pointless. Shrugging away countless pieces of art because they weren’t made according to how you want them to is a huge shame and honestly a tragedy. You are not some white knight “protecting” the art world from anything. You are a tumor actively eating away at it.
References:
Parr, J. (2025, August 31). Gatekeeping in Art: The barriers that hold creatives back. DIYvinci. https://www.diyvinci.com/post/gatekeeping-in-art-the-barriers-that-hold-creatives-back
Delagrange, J., & Delagrange, J. (2024, 9 oktober). Gatekeeping & the Subjectivity of Art in the Art World — CAI. Contemporary Art Issue - Platform, Publisher & Gallery on Contemporary Art. https://www.contemporaryartissue.com/gatekeeping-the-subjectivity-of-art-in-the-art-world/
Artists, Gatekeeping, and Social Media Struggles. (2023, 24 oktober). Medium. https://medium.com/@artivists/artists-gatekeeping-and-social-media-struggles-a0fc36442337