Why is Instagram so important for (emerging) artists

"If you don’t show what you’ve done, It’s like if you hadn’t done it at all” 

(“Se não mostras o que fizeste, é como se não o tivesses feito”)

I often have this tough. Of course it's only my opinion, but I believe instagram is an essential tool for visual artists. It’s free, easy, and used by lots of people, and this makes it probably the fist tool to share and promote your work.

If you never shared your work before, I would say it’s mandatory to start a instagram account immediately. You can always find excuses not to open it: you can say your work isn’t good enough, that you don’t like social networks, that you prefer human relations, that you don’t like to share your work in this way, that you don’t like o show off, etc.. Yet, in my opinion, these excuses only mean that you are not thinking how you can adapt your instagram to your own style of communication.

If you are serious about pursuing an artistic career, then take some time to research on instagram the profiles of artists and galleries with whom you identify with, and see how they communicate. Then get inspired and start managing your instagram account as soon as possible, as it takes several years until it gets some recognition.

Here are some practices you can think about when managing your instagram account:

• Post regularly (every week, no more than a post per day): This shows the people who like your work that you are working. When you are an emerging artist collectors, gallerists or followers expect a warranty that you are committed to developing artistic work (organizing exhibitins, participating in events, sudying) so do share a part of your working process on your instagram account. You don’t need to post photos of all your work, but you can give a view of your studio, working process, projects, etc.
• Research and interact: Search for your favorite artists, galleries, artist residencies and organizations. You can follow their activities and interact with them. You can even meet some artists personally, and organize projects with them.
• Use it to talk about your work. Because it’s so easy to use, It’s a nice tool to help you when you are talking about your work. For instance, if you are having a personal conversation about your work, you can quickly access your phone and your instagram account and show examples of what have you been working at. Also print business cards with your instagram account.
• Realize that you are making other people happy/impacting their lives: Not everyone has the time or the possibility to visit your exhibitions. Many people don’t live in your city, many have very busy lifes with very few free time to think about art. Even if you think it’s not so special, your work is always important to someone, and this is why, with instagram, you can make an impact in the daily routines of many people. It is a window to your atelier/ universe / digital gallery.
• Gaining control = more freedom: If you take control of some of your communication tools, you start gaining more autonomy to make artistic initiatives. You don’t need to only rely in galleries and other organizations to promote your work, and you can think about other initiatives like public art, group exhibitions, workshops, atelier views etc.

What is your experience? Do you have an instagram account? Share it below!