Many commission artists are out there looking for their next big gig. For artists, times are tough with an increased pool of individuals looking for work. Many artists also face personal challenges involving staying relevant on social media despite the algorithms working against them. One Wyoming artist who posted on Reddit’s r/AmItheAsshole shared their experience working with a client on what they believed to be a special commission, only to have it end in disaster.
OP started the post with a preface that they don’t “discriminate against any subject” in their art, “unless it’s racist, homophobic, otherwise hateful, or sexually disturbing.” They went on to explain they were commissioned by a client for an art piece with “Christian iconography.” This included included a cross, a saint, and a calligraphy scripture. The artist worked diligently on the art piece to produce a result that would satisfy their client.
Unfortunately, things went downhill when the artist presented the client with the piece. They said the client was pleased with the piece and paid them. However, the client then asked the artist what their favorite scripture was. This left the artist stumped but they said, honestly, “Oh, I don’t really have one, because I’m not a Christian and wouldn’t really know which ones I’d like.” This didn’t bode well with the client.
He allegedly became visibly upset and told the artist that he “felt lied to.” The reason? The client noticed the artist posted Christian subjects in the past and made an assumption that he chose a Christian to complete the portrait. He went on to say“the art doesn’t hold the same spiritual value, because it wasn’t made with ‘faithful intention.’” The artist then replied with, “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I do artwork for everyone, and I am open to doing Christian artwork because it’s for the client, not me.”
The artist then asks at the end of their post, “Should I be disclosing if I don’t share a certain faith when commissioned to do artwork for it? AITA?”
Redditors sided with the artist on this one, stating that they were not in the wrong for taking the commission. One popular comment reply read, “NTA, you don’t discriminate, but apparently they do lmao.”
Another spot-on comment read, “NTA Michael Angelo didn’t believe in the church and painted the Sistine Chapel. If it didn’t matter to the Pope who is this guy to judge. Also, his failure to vet you is not your concern.” Others shared stories about being raised in a certain faith or being non-religious and agreeing that the artist did what anybody would have done in this scenario.
One other popular commenter stated, “This guy is delusional if he thinks less of the artwork. It’s still custom made with his desires in mind. What, does he think the church buys communion wafer crackers from the Vatican? Come on now.” Which brings us to a solid point: You can appreciate art just for being good. You don’t need to tie a certain religious significance to it if you look at it and it sparks some passion or joy within you.
