Average Income for a visual artist
Average weekly income for a visual artist: £521 (average figure based on highest and lowest earnings. Source: ONS). Amount paid for works sold at the annual Affordable Art Fair in London: £50–£3,000 (of which a percentage may go to an artist’s gallery). How does the average artist make a living? If you’re Damien Hirst, of course, you need only flog a couple of sharks in formaldehyde; if you’re Tracey Emin, an unmade bed will do. If you’re an actor, a well-publicised turn as Hamlet and near-omnipresence in the Christmas TV schedules, a la David Tennant, would keep the accountant happy. But none of these scenarios will ring true for the average artist – who is more likely to be stacking supermarket shelves,…