Shoplifting, sex shows and sheepdog-breeding: great artists and the side-hustles they did to get by
Why it matters: This reveals the enduring, often desperate, measures artists take to create, challenging romanticized notions of artistic purity.
- Jean Genet, a renowned French novelist, pioneered a specialized briefcase for shoplifting valuable books, which he would read and then resell, demonstrating an early, illicit form of artistic funding.
- Artists across various disciplines have historically engaged in a "stunning variety of ad-hoc schemes," including nude modeling and sheepdog breeding, to bridge the financial gap between their artistic dreams and economic realities.
- The concept of side hustles for artists is presented as having a "woollier lineage" than modern interpretations, driven by the need to fund the extensive time and experimentation required for creative work, rather than just covering basic expenses.
Throughout history, aspiring artists have resorted to an array of unconventional and often illicit 'side hustles' to fund their creative pursuits, highlighting the persistent economic struggle inherent in artistic vocations. From Jean Genet's ingenious book-stealing briefcase to breeding sheepdogs, these methods underscore a fundamental tension between artistic ambition and financial necessity.
