Even Artists Can Be Outsourced in the Supply Chain

All you budding Picasso's, Cezanne's, Monet's, be warned, you can be outsourced in the new global supply chain.

I was recently in Miami, Florida and met with friends in the art industry at several galleries. While I am not a big fan of the Miami art scene (too contemporary) I was shocked to hear about how several paintings were actually painted in China on assembly lines, similar to the way a car or a PC is assembled. For example, the "Tuscany" look is very big now and so-called artists in China are cranking out Tuscany-based village scenes by the hundreds. While they look real and arguably should be considered art, I don't think they would be as attractive to collectors if they knew the paintings weren't designed by some depressed, struggling artist living on the streets, but by dozens of assembly line workers. And the prices certainly don't reflect the costs we come to expect out of the Far East, which are in the thousands. The talent in China is certainly there and should not be ignored, but a little disclosure is needed. Perhaps instead of signing the artists name in the corner they should sign it with "Made in China."

On a personal note I have some exciting news to share. I am moving to Vienna, Austria on a short term assignment for work. I will obviously use this opportunity to share more posts on the European supply chain. So stay tuned, this blogger is going abroad.