Elucidating the paradox of sustainable art consumption: an interdisciplinary analysis

Abstract

This study scrutinizes the paradoxical relationship between the burgeoning demand for sustainable materials and the persisting environmental impact of the global art market. Its interdisciplinary inquiry, methodologically informed by a survey and interviews with art gallery managers, seeks to elucidate the driving forces behind this phenomenon, comprehend the contribution of sustainable art consumption within an interdisciplinary framework, and identify potential strategies to foster a genuinely sustainable art market. The interdisciplinary analysis unveils a combination of several influential factors perpetuating the paradox of sustainable art consumption, such as socioeconomic forces, artistic motives and values, and regulatory and policy shortcomings. Implications for art market structures and rules, as well as policy and regulations, are discussed. Further, the article looks into the limitations in implementing the proposed framework, predominantly concerning resource constraints, the art market’s diversity and complexity, and the delicate balance between artistic freedom and sustainability. Additionally, it addresses challenges such as enforcement and compliance, measuring and monitoring impact, collaboration and coordination, and adaptation to a perpetually evolving market. The article provides a comprehensive argument for the pressing need to reconcile the art market’s ecological footprint with the rising demand for sustainability, offering potential avenues for achieving a truly sustainable global art market.