LATVIAN ARTISTIC FIELD FROM THE ARTISTS’ VIEWPOINT

Abstract

The autonomy of artistic field is expressed in the degree to which the artist obeys the laws of action and changes in the field of power and social space. The work of a painter can be directly influenced by other actors in the artistic field, therefore, the opinion of other painters is analysed and compared to their own position in the art space. The purpose of this article is to determine the viewpoint from which a painter sees the Latvian artistic field and himself/herself therein. The study is based on 28 author’s interviews with Latvian painters. The article considers whether painters regard the artistic field as separated from the social space and whether they feel themselves and their colleagues as equal players. The research indicates that the autonomy of the artistic field is not possible. Painters are equal players with other actors in the artistic field.