The intersection of art and money has existed since the beginning of time. How can one pursue his or her passion without making enough money to survive? According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, one must first meet his or her physiological and safety needs, such as food and shelter, before reaching the self-actualization level of morality. The only way one can do this is by making enough money.

So what should these artists do? Should they create art that sells or art that is in line with their beliefs? And where does “selling out” come into play? I think the best way to go about this issue is by creating art that incorporates both the artist’s values and what is popular in today’s society.

One such artist that does a very good job at this is Martin Scorsese. His film, Taxi Driver, does an amazing job at displaying the harsh reality of living in New York City. Through the use of Scorsese’s personal morals along with popular themes in American culture, the film became a hit. Scorsese touches upon racism, social classes, prostitution, and politics throughout his film. For many people, these topics hit close to home. As a native New Yorker, the film was very appealing to me. It allowed me to view New York from others’ perspectives and learn the truth behind many of today’s issues. It’s no wonder the film made $27.3 million. Scorsese effectively created a commercially successful piece while staying true to his values.

Let’s take a completely different approach to “selling out.” Many people think that Michelangelo was a sell out. He attended the Renaissance Master School and spent years upon years practicing sculpting. Michelangelo was a sculptor at heart, one who specifically hated painting. He considered it an inferior art form. So why then did he spend years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? For the money, of course! The church was one of the only organizations commissioning work in his area, so Michelangelo had no room to be picky. He put his love for sculpting away, swallowed his pride, and took the money. The irony is that the piece became Michelangelo’s most recognizable works. I mean have you seen the pictures of it? It’s absolutely stunning and unquestionably one of the most timeless pieces of art in history. So who’s to say that Michelangelo is a sell out? Yeah, maybe he stopped pursuing his passions for a few years, but does that really make him any less of an artist? His piece appeals to millions upon millions of people and that’s one of the most important aspects of art. He influenced so many people and in my perspective he is one of the greatest artists of all time.

“Selling out” really isn’t all that it’s hyped up to be. Sometimes, artists have to do what is necessary to get by. It isn’t always such a bad thing. If people still enjoy the artwork, then who are they really hurting? Those who think less of artists who sometimes choose to swallow their pride and go for the big bucks need to take a step back and look at things from their perspectives. In today’s economy it isn’t an easy task to make money. You have to do what you have to do to make it and that’s what people have trouble realizing.