I see a pattern when I read biographies of great geniuses, artists, or writers: they often face social isolation and money troubles. Artists often lack the resources they need. They face many challenges. If you’re an artist and think everything is fine, that’s great. But I want to discuss what isn’t.

The Financial Struggles of Creatives

Financial struggles? If everyone loves art, why do artists struggle with money?

Art does not fit well into the capitalist system. Since the Industrial Revolution, the wealthy have controlled production and labour. Those with money can create art. Plus, art doesn’t bring quick profits. Still, it has the power to change society over time. Because the system cannot measure this long-term benefit, it sees art as a leisure activity.

For most people, art is not essential. It is often an afterthought, valued only when basic needs are met.

Solitude and Gender: The Artist as a Woman

This is especially true for female geniuses, writers, and artists. Do you think this problem still exists, or is it a thing of the past?

Gender differences matter.

In a recent film about Maria Callas, played by Angelina Jolie, I saw the story of a talented woman facing social isolation. This made me feel more anger than sadness.

Why?

In my early 20s, I admired a favourite writer and carried her books everywhere like sacred texts. Then I learned she rarely spoke to anyone or gave interviews. I asked a friend why, but she writers were a bit arrogant. I felt confused.

Over time, I met many writers and artists, and I became one myself. Even Virginia Woolf lived an isolated life. Murakami wrote all day and jogged without rest. When asked about his social life, he said people would find him boring. Van Gogh’s story is also filled with loneliness, exclusion, and misunderstanding. And Camille Claudel’s tale is among the saddest. She spent 33 years in an asylum, unable to work and feeling lonely. Imagine how painful that must have been. At first, I believed it was due to a health condition, but I later learned the harsh truth. It wasn’t her health condition that kept Camille there for so long. Her doctor told her family not to take her home. They chose to leave her. She lacked a warm family and lost touch with Rodin, her great love. Strong, artistic women are often seen as dangerous by society. So, they remain alone.

Society Expectations

In the film about Maria Callas, I met another lonely woman. Millions admire her talent. Yet, she lives a lonely life.

I read that Marilyn Monroe felt lonely at night. She would call people to feel connected. Is this conditional love? You make millions smile, adding voice, colour, and creativity to their lives. They are with you only as long as you provide something.

Society cares only about production. When we enjoy films, operas, or other art, do we truly compensate with ticket money?

I can almost hear you say, “They already earn millions! They get paid for it!”

Do all of them?

Now let’s return to the quiet writer I mentioned earlier.

For years, I thought this writer’s silence was arrogance or a way to protect herself. But now I ask: where is the artist in daily life? Are people pushing writers and artists out of society?

Some societies have made progress, but the pressure Camille faced was not the same as Rodin’s. While Camille struggled with mental illness and isolation, what kind of life did a male artist lead at that time? Should we seek answers in gender theory? Does society exclude women from being artists because they are women?

Even on social media, we see little criticism of men — like their bodies, for example. Instead, the focus is on what women wear, do, and say. The gaze is on women.

This continues today.

So, is it truly a negative thing for a woman to be an artist?

Society remains distant, even while admiring artists.