This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On August 6, 2020, Wambui Collymore, the founder of The Art Space, an online art gallery, shared her thoughts on Artcaffe's recent art competition.
Artcaffe, a city restaurant, had launched an art competition where winners would receive a year's supply of coffee and exposure. However, the move sparked a heated debate on social media, with many questioning the value of 'exposure' as a prize.
Wambui, an accomplished artist, offered some free advice to Artcaffe on how to invest in art pro bono. She emphasized that art is meant to be bought, not supported, and that exposure is not a substitute for financial support.
'Art is made to be bought, unless the artist offers to do it for free. Refusing to buy art actually kills the industry. Exposure is refusing to buy art. We don’t need exposure. We need investment in the arts,' Wambui said.
While Wambui appreciated Artcaffe's intention to give artists an opportunity, she stressed that the investment needs to be sustainable and create tangible impact.
