The Fear of Change: Why the Art World Gatekeepers Must Evolve or Become Obsolete
The art world has long been ruled by gatekeepers critics, galleries, and wealthy collectors who decide what art is valuable and what isn’t. It’s a system built on exclusivity, status, and a rigid definition of “taste.” But as we stand at the edge of a new era, where the internet and social media are democratising art, it’s clear that these gatekeepers fear change. Rather than embracing what’s new, many turn their noses up at it, often dismissing innovation that doesn’t fit neatly into their parameters. If it doesn’t benefit them directly, it simply isn’t worth their attention.
However, history has shown that resistance to change is rarely sustainable. Look at the music industry once dominated by record labels, it is now undergoing a drastic transformation thanks to streaming platforms. Audiences are reclaiming power, and artists have more autonomy than ever before. The same is happening and will continue to happen, in the art world. The barriers these gatekeepers have erected are slowly being broken down, and those who cling to the old ways risk becoming irrelevant.
We’re living in an interesting time, where audiences are dictating power, not the gatekeepers. The internet has given artists direct access to collectors, buyers, and fans, bypassing traditional intermediaries. Those who once controlled the market are now faced with an entirely new challenge—either adapt to the changing landscape or be left behind.
Take the recent example of Saatchi Gallery Yates. What are they doing that other galleries aren’t? Simple: they’ve cracked the code of the Instagram generation. By flooding social media with ads and offering smaller, more affordable pieces, they’ve tapped into a new audience. The days of relying solely on wealthy collectors are over. Saatchi Yates is catering to people who want to engage with art in a more personal, immediate way—an audience that values the experience of art just as much as the art itself.
But not everyone is on board. Recently, there’s been a critique of a street art show at Saatchi Yates, accusing it of being hollow and driven by hype. The critic dismissed the pieces for not aligning with their personal taste, yet ironically, they acknowledged that the exhibition attracted a significant crowd—an audience that clearly found something valuable in the experience. This reaction is emblematic of the gatekeepers’ fear. Instead of seeing the success of this new model and acknowledging the shift in what people value in art, they cling to the idea that if it doesn’t fit their definition, it isn’t “real” art.
The problem is, that mentality will only last for so long. The music industry’s evolution proves that audiences can reshape entire industries, and the same is happening with art. We are entering a world where creators and collectors are forging their own paths, fueled by digital platforms and social media, where art is shared, discussed, and purchased on a global scale.
It’s time for the gatekeepers to open their eyes, or they may soon find themselves in the same position as those in the music industry who ignored streaming—scrambling to keep up with an audience that has already moved on. Art is evolving, and the question is whether they will evolve with it.